Safeguarding adults means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent or stop abuse and neglect.
Every adult has the right to be treated with dignity, have their choices respected and live a life free from fear.
Where can abuse happen
Abuse can happen anywhere. It can happen at home, at a day service, in a care home or hospital, or in the community.
Who abuses
Anyone can commit abuse or neglect, including paid care workers, other professionals, volunteers, neighbours, friends, and even family members.
People at risk of abuse or neglect
An adult at risk is someone who is 18 years or older and
- Needs care and support, possibly because of a disability, mental health issue, frailty, addiction, or chronic illness.
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.
- Is unable to protect themselves from abuse and neglect because of their needs for care and support.
Different types of abuse
Abuse is the mistreatment of a person that violates their human and civil rights. It can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, financial, organisational, discriminatory, and neglectful abuse.
You can read more about the different types of abuse and their signs here.
Other forms of exploitation
Although the following forms of exploitation are not specifically mentioned in the Care Act 2014, they can often be linked to other forms of abuse or neglect, and it is important that everyone knows how to recognise them.
Discrimination
The unjust or prejudicial treatment or harassment of people because of their race, gender (including gender identity), disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
Race, gender, age, disability, religion, and sex are known as protected characteristics.
The following are different forms of discrimination against people based on their protected characteristics.
Direct discrimination
Treating a person less favourably than others.
Indirect discrimination
Putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone but that put someone at an unfair disadvantage.
Harassment
Unwanted behaviour that violates a person's dignity or creates an unpleasant or offensive environment for that person.
Victimisation
Treating a person unfairly because they have complained about discrimination or harassment.
Spotting the signs of discrimination
Discrimination can be difficult to spot, but there are some signs to look for, such as:
- Verbal abuse, derogatory remarks, or inappropriate use of language related to a protected characteristic.
- Acts or comments motivated to harm and damage, including inciting others to commit abusive acts.
- Harassment or deliberate exclusion on the grounds of a protected characteristic.
- Substandard service provision relating to a protected characteristic.
- Denying access to communication aids or not allowing access to an interpreter, signer, or lipreader.
Other signs of discrimination may include
- The person appears withdrawn and isolated.
- They express anger, frustration, fear, or anxiety.
- They make complaints about the service not meeting their needs.
Hate crime
A hate crime is a crime that is committed against someone because of their disability, gender identity, race, religion, beliefs, or sexual orientation. Hate crimes should be reported to the police. They can include:
- Threatening behaviour
- Assault
- Robbery
- Damage to property
- Inciting others to commit hate crimes
- Harassment
Remember, if you think a crime is being committed, you should inform the police.
Find out more about hate crime here.
What should you do if you or someone you know is at risk of abuse or neglect
If you suspect that someone is being abused, please do not ignore it. Report a concern below.