Stand up for dignity - Abuse

She hit me everywhere on my body, all because I'm disabled, she blames me for my disability

This section does not attempt to cover the subject of abuse, which encompasses complex and wide-reaching issues that cannot be covered within the remit of this resource. The information below outlines immediate action that should be taken if abuse is suspected and directs you to suitable further resources.

• What constitutes abuse?Open

  Abuse is not easily defined and can have complexities stemming from the relationships of individuals involved. 'No secrets'  (DH, 2000) offers the following aid to identifying abuse:

  • physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions
  • sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting
  • psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks
  • financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
  • neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating
  • discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

• What to do?Open

  • If there is an immediate risk of harm to one or more people due to actual or potential abuse, which constitutes an emergency, call 999.
  • If you suspect abuse of a ‘vulnerable’ person, contact the local authority social services or safeguarding coordinator.
  • If you are in doubt about whether a situation amounts to abuse or whether it should be treated as a complaint, ask the advice of the local authority safeguarding coordinator.
  • If there is no risk of immediate harm but you have concerns about abuse or neglect stemming from poor practice, consider informing one or more of the organisations below, depending on the circumstances: For care homes, nursing homes, domiciliary care services, adult placement schemes and hospitals, raise your concerns with:
    • the service
    • the funding authority,
    • the primary care trust
    • The Care Quality Commission

  For day services raised your concerns with:

  • the service
  • the funding authority.

  Each area has multi-agency safeguarding procedures which they must follow once suspected abuse has been reported.

Further information on abuse

No secrets is the current Department of Health guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect ‘vulnerable’ adults from abuse. Link: No secrets

No Secrets is under review; the relevant documents are available on the Department of Health website.

• Safeguarding adults: a consultation on the review of the ‘No Secrets’ guidance
• Safeguarding adults: report on the consultation on the review of No Secrets
• Written Ministerial Statement. Government response to the consultation on safeguarding adults: the review of the no secrets guidance. Tuesday 19 January 2009

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was created to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. It took over the functions previously under:

• the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) list
• the Protection of Children Act (PoCA) list
• List 99 (a list of people considered unsuitable for work with children, held by the Department for Children, Schools and Families).

The implementation of the scheme has been halted by the coalition government pending a review. The review will make recommendations early in 2011.

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) continues to carry out checks on people applying to work with vulnerable adults.

Outcome 7 of the Care Quality CommissionEssential Standards of Quality and Safety covers Safeguarding people who use services from abuse

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) run a helpline which provides confidential support and advice for people who have been abused or know someone who may be suffering abuse. Available weekdays 9am - 5pm on freephone 0808 808 8141. Link: AEA - What to do and who to contact?

Voice UK is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable people who have experienced crime or abuse. They also support their families, carers and professional workers. Voice runs a helpline 080 880 2 8686 For more details go to Voice UK

Counsel and Care have produced a factsheet on older people at risk of abuse.

For information on the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards see  SCIE’s MCA web pages.

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What are these? DEJI