What is abuse and how to report it

What is abuse and neglect?

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. It may also be a criminal offence. Abuse hurts people in many ways: it can cause fear, suffering, injury or even death. Abuse can take many forms. It can be obvious but sometimes it is subtle.

Examples of abuse

• Physical restraint, over medication, hitting or threatening to hurt someone
• Financial Pressure to change a will or share a PIN number, taking or borrowing possessions without the owner’s consent, over charging, pressure selling
• Psychological name calling, discrimination, threats, humiliation, not listening to a person's wishes
• Sexual touching, marriage or sexual acts without a person’s consent, professionals involved in intimate relationships with their clients
• Domestic abuse controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse by someone who is or has been an intimate partner or family member
• Organisation abuse including neglect or poor care within an institution or specific care setting
• Self-neglect this covers a wide range of behaviour - neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviours such as hoarding
• Modern slavery encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude

Who abuses?

Anyone can become an abuser. Most abusers are known by the adult at risk. The abuse can happen anywhere – in the home, in the community, in day or residential care, in hospital or at college. Abusers can be a:

• family member
• friend
• neighbour
• paid carer
• health or care professional
• work colleague

What should I do if I suspect abuse?

• always listen carefully
• make a note of what has happened or what you are worried about
• if you are an adult who is being abused, or think you may be, talk to someone you trust or contact us
• if you are a person an adult at risk trusts to tell about abuse, ask their permission to contact us, or the police, if a criminal offence is suspected
• if you are a paid carer or volunteer, tell your manager or another manager in your agency

How to report

If you are not sure your concerns are a safeguarding issue, check our categories of abuse section for more information and advice.

If the issue is an emergency situation, dial 999.

Otherwise, if you are a member of the public and concerned about an adult at risk, please make a referral using our online form.

Make a referral