Why are vulnerable adults at risk of abuse

Some maltreated vulnerable adults will not display any noticeable symptoms. Equally, many of the indicators listed may be the consequence of other factors aside from abusive or neglectful care.

Vulnerable adults who have experienced abuse will often experience more than one type of maltreatment. For example, there is a strong propensity for carer neglect to co-exist with psychological or emotional abuse.

It is important to discuss your concerns for a vulnerable adult with a person experienced with and trained in interpreting the indicators of abuse.

As a diocesan worker or member of our faith communities or parent or carer of a vulnerable adult in receipt of a diocesan service, you are able to contact the Office of Safeguarding to discuss your child related concerns:. E: child. The following section provides detailed information on the indicators of abuse of vulnerable adults, described in terms of the five generally used classifications of abuse, with a preliminary section on the factors that make vulnerable adults at higher risk of abuse.

Home Health A to Z Social care and support guide Help from social services and charities Back to Help from social services and charities. Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults. Everyone has the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Different forms of abuse and neglect There are many forms of abuse and neglect.

Sexual abuse This includes: indecent exposure sexual harassment inappropriate looking or touching sexual teasing or innuendo sexual photography being forced to watch pornography or sexual acts being forced or pressured to take part in sexual acts rape Physical abuse This includes: being hit, slapped, pushed or restrained being denied food or water not being helped to go to the bathroom when you need to misuse of your medicines Psychological abuse This includes: emotional abuse threats to hurt or abandon you stopping you from seeing people humiliating, blaming, controlling, intimidating or harassing you verbal abuse cyberbullying and isolation an unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or support networks Domestic abuse This is typically an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse by someone who is, or has been, an intimate partner or family member.

Discriminatory abuse This includes some forms of harassment, slurs or unfair treatment relating to your: race gender and gender identity age disability sexual orientation religion Financial abuse This could be someone stealing money or other valuables from you.

Internet scams and doorstep crime are also common forms of financial abuse. Neglect Neglect includes not being provided with enough food or with the right kind of food, or not being taken proper care of. Abuse in your home You're more at risk of abuse at home if: you're isolated and do not have much contact with friends, family or neighbours you have memory problems or difficulty communicating you become dependent on your carer you do not get on with your carer your carer is addicted to drugs or alcohol your carer relies on you for a home, or financial or emotional support Find out more about abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault I think I am being abused or neglected.

What can I do? There are many people you can talk to. If you feel you are being abused or neglected: do not worry about making a fuss — tell someone you trust as soon as possible speak to friends or care workers who may have an understanding of the situation and be able to take steps quickly to improve the situation talk to professionals such as a GP or social worker about your concerns, or ask to speak to your local council's adult safeguarding team or co-ordinator call the Hourglass helpline on for advice if you believe a crime is being, or has been, committed — whether it's physical abuse or financial — talk to the police or ask someone you trust to do so on your behalf Spotting signs of abuse in older people: advice for carers It's not always easy to spot the signs of abuse.

Behavioural signs of abuse in an older person include: becoming quiet and withdrawn being aggressive or angry for no obvious reason looking unkempt, dirty or thinner than usual sudden changes in their character, such as appearing helpless, depressed or tearful physical signs — such as bruises, wounds, fractures or other untreated injuries the same injuries happening more than once not wanting to be left by themselves or alone with particular people being unusually lighthearted and insisting there's nothing wrong Also, their home may be cold or unusually dirty or untidy, or you might notice things missing.

Do not ignore your concerns, though. Doing so could allow any abuse to carry on or escalate. You can use it to report a problem or suggest an improvement to a webpage. Enter your feedback characters maximum. Enter your question characters maximum. Extra comments optional. What to do next Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence daera-ni. What to do next If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.

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Who is an adult at risk? Who might cause abuse? What to do if you think someone is at risk of abuse Domestic abuse Safety in the home Hate crime Staying safe on-line.