Due to age, disability, illness or lifestyle, some adults may not be able to protect themselves against abuse or exploitation.
The adult protection procedure aims to provide a system that a range of organisations or individuals can use to report and respond to situations where it is suspected, alleged or known that a vulnerable adult has been abused
Abuse can take many forms:
You will probably know about physical abuse, where an individual is hurt or ill-treated by someone. Other forms of abuse are:
Sexual - which includes rape, molesting or pressuring someone into sexual acts they don't understand or feel powerless to refuse;
Emotional - including verbal abuse, isolating an individual, taking away privacy or other rights, bullying and intimidation, controlling and humiliation;
Financial - withholding money or possessions, theft, fraud, borrowing money and not repaying it;
Neglect - withholding food, drink, heating and clothing, ignoring physical care needs, failing to ensure adequate supervision
Discrimination - slurs, harassment and maltreatment because of someone's race, gender, disability, age, faith, culture or sexual orientation
Institutional - using systems of routines which cause neglect to a person receiving care in a formal care setting.
Abuse can happen anywhere - in a person's own home, in the community, at work, in college, in health settings, care homes and day centres.
Anyone can abuse and it is often the person you least expect. Abusers can be members of the family, care workers, family members, friends, neighbours, volunteers or a stranger.
If you notice
- changes in a person's behaviour or moods
- unexplained injuries
- signs of fear or distress
- signs of neglect
- theft, fraud or unexplained financial worries
and that person is :
- over 18
- are receiving, or may need, community care services because they are have a learning disability or physical disability or because of age or illness
- are, or maybe, unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves, against significant harm or exploitation.
please contact Social Services Direct. The contact details are on the right hand side of this page.
Related Links:
Blackpool LINk (Local Involvement Network)
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