If you think someone is abusing you or someone you know, you should report a safeguarding concern.
We want to help if you are unable to protect yourself from harm because of your care and support needs.
Abuse can take many forms. The person responsible could be a stranger, but it's often carried out by someone the victim knows. This could be a:
- family member
- professional person
- carer
- friend or neighbour
Abuse may include:
- Physical abuse
- Such as being hit or kicked, misusing medication or using illegal restraint.
- Domestic abuse
- Controling, coercive, threatening behaviour or violence between people who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members.
- Sexual abuse
- Any sexual activity where you cannot or do not consent or which you have been coerced into.
- Psychological abuse
- Such as shouting or swearing at or ignoring someone, name calling, bullying, threats, intimidation and coercion.
- Financial or material abuse
- Such as fraud, theft, forcing you to pay for other people's things, not allowing you access to or control of your money or property, or using it without your permission.
- Neglect
- Where someone allows you to suffer by failing to care for you or ignoring your needs, for example with regard to food, medication, heating and personal care.
- Modern slavery
- Includes human trafficking and forced labour.
- Discriminatory abuse
- Suffering harassment, bullying, insulting language or ill-treatment because of your age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or gender.
