What is abuse or neglect?

Abuse or neglect can take many forms. It may be a single act or repeated acts. It can be active or passive. It can fall under one type or can involve multiple types.

Physical abuse

Assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, unnecessary/unjustified restraint, inappropriate physical sanctions.

Sexual abuse

Rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual acts to which the adult has not consented, was pressure into consenting, or is unable to consent.

Sexual exploitation

Involves exploitative situations, contexts, and relationships where adults at risk (or a third person or persons) receive ‘something’ (e.g., food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. It affects men as well as women. People who are sexually exploited do not always perceive they are being exploited. In all cases, those exploiting the adult have power over them by virtue of age, gender, intellect, physical strength, and/or economic or other resources. There is a distinct inequality in the relationship.

Neglect and acts of omission    

Ignoring medical, emotional, or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, withholding the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition, and heating. Neglect also includes a failure to intervene in situations that are dangerous to the person concerned or to others, particularly when the person lacks the mental capacity to assess risk for themselves.    

Organisational abuse

Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to ongoing ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes, and practices within an organisation.   

Financial or material abuse

Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions and the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefit. An adult at risk may be persuaded to part with large sums of money/life savings. Such concern should always be reported to the Police and if relevant, local Trading Standards for further investigation. Where the abuse is perpetrated by someone with authority to manage the adult at risks finances, the Office of the Public Guardian should be informed (in relation to Deputies/Attorneys) or the DWP (for Appointees).    

Mate crime

A ‘mate crime’ as defined by the Safety Net Project is ‘when vulnerable people are befriended by members of the community who go on to exploit and take advantage of them. It may not be an illegal act but still has a negative effect on the individual’. Mate Crime is carried out by someone the adult knows and often happens in private. In recent years there have been a number of Safeguarding Adults Reviews relating to people with a learning disability who were murdered or seriously harmed by people who purported to be their friend.

Psychological abuse    

Emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation.    

Discriminatory abuse

Discrimination on the grounds of race, faith or religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and political views, along with racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist comments or jokes, or comments and jokes based on a person’s disability or any other form of harassment, slur, or similar treatment. Excluding a person from activities on the basis they are ‘not liked’ is also discriminatory abuse.

Hate crime

Hate Crimes relate to abuse motivated by the protected characteristics of the victim. The Criminal Justice system defines a Hate Crime as “any incident that is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be racist, homophobic, transphobic or due to a person’s religion, belief, gender identity or disability”. It should be noted this definition is based on the perception of the victim or anyone else and is not reliant on evidence. In addition, it includes incidents that do not constitute a criminal offence.

Domestic Abuse

Behaviour of a person (“A”) towards another person (“B”) if – A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other and the behaviour is abusive. Behaviour is abusive if it contains any of the following: physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, psychological, emotional, or other abuse.

Female Genital Mutilation

Involves procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The procedure has no health benefits for girls or women. The Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003) makes it illegal to practice FGM in the UK or to take girls who are British nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM whether or not it is lawful in another country.

Forced Marriage

A marriage in which one or both of the parties are married without their consent or against their will. A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in which both parties consent to the assistance of a third party in identifying a spouse.

Honour Based Abuse

Honour Based Abuse is a crime or incident, which has or may have been, committed to protect or defend the Honour of the family and/or community.

Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking

Slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude, traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive, and force individuals into a life or abuse, servitude, and inhumane treatment.

Self-neglect and/or hoarding

This covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. It should be noted that self-neglect may not prompt a section 42 enquiry. An assessment should be made on a case-by-case basis. A decision on whether a response is required under safeguarding will depend on the adult’s ability to protect themselves by controlling their own behaviour. There may come a point when they are no longer able to do this, without external support.

Safeguarding adults board

The West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board website has useful information on signs of abuse and staying safe. 

Easy read guide on where to go for help

Read the easy read guide on what is abuse and where to go for help (PDF Document).