Keeping safe

What is abuse?

Abuse is when somebody does or says things to a person that harms them or makes them feel upset or frightened. It is mistreatment by somebody or some people that violates a person’s human and civil rights.

Anyone could be at risk of abuse or neglect. A person may be vulnerable at different times in their life. Some adults may be more at risk because they are older or have a sensory impairment, a disability, a mental health condition or a long-term illness. Some people may have difficulty in making their wishes and feelings known which may put them at risk of abuse or neglect and they may not be able to make decisions or choices without support.

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those care and support needs), and as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

What is safeguarding?

Adult safeguarding is defined as ‘protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect’ (Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Chapter 14). Adult safeguarding is people and organisations working together to prevent and reduce both risks and experiences of abuse and neglect.

Types of abuse

There are lots of different types of abuse, including:

• Physical abuse – someone being hit, slapped or kicked, being locked in a room or restrained inappropriately.

• Sexual abuse – someone being made to take part in sexual activity when they haven’t given consent or are not able to give consent.

• Emotional or psychological abuse – someone being shouted at, bullied, being made to feel frightened or pressurised into decisions. • Financial abuse – stealing, fraud, withholding or misusing someone’s money or possessions.

• Neglect and acts of omission – includes not giving someone the care that they need.

• Modern slavery – human trafficking and forced labour.

• Domestic abuse – when abuse occurs between partners or by a family member.

• Discriminatory abuse – poor treatment or harassment because of someone’s age, gender, sexuality, disability, race or religious belief.

• Organisational abuse – inflexible systems and routines in place that stop people making their own choices about their lifestyle; not considering a person’s dietary requirements; inappropriate ways of addressing people.

• Self-neglect is also a form of abuse – this is when someone chooses not to look after themselves. It might include not eating or refusing help for their health or care needs and this has a significant effect on their wellbeing.

Abuse may be an isolated incident or repeated incidents. It may be that the abuse is deliberate, or it may be unintentional, due to ignorance or lack of training and understanding. It may be that a person is at risk of abuse or being abused in several ways.

Where does abuse happen?

It can happen anywhere – at home, a care home, a hospital, in the workplace, at any service you attend, at college, in supported housing or in the street.

Adults at risk provide sensitive information and have the right to expect that this information and information obtained from others will be treated respectfully and that their privacy will be maintained.

The challenges of working within the boundaries of confidentiality should not stand in the way of taking appropriate action. Whenever possible, informed consent to the sharing of sensitive personal information should be obtained. 

 Who might cause abuse? Abuse can be caused by anyone – it may be somebody you know well, or it may be a stranger. It may be more than one person. It might be a family member, a friend, a neighbour, a carer or care worker, a nurse, a social care worker, a GP, a visitor to your home or a rogue trader. If you live in a residential setting or receive any other services, it may be another user of that service, a visitor or a care worker.

What should you do if you are worried about abuse?

North Yorkshire County Council has a legal duty to protect the rights of adults with care and support needs to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Together with other partners, including health and the police, North Yorkshire County Council operates a zero-tolerance attitude towards all forms of abuse. All adults should be able to live their lives free from fear and harm.

If you or the person you are concerned about is in danger and immediate action is required, you should ring the Emergency Services on: 999.

What should you do if you are worried about someone in a care home?

If your concern is about someone who is in a care home, please refer them to us using the details below.

Customer Service Centre

Tel: 01609 780780

For further details, visit:

www.northyorks.gov.uk/safeguardingadults

If you have concerns about the standards or application of regulations in a care home, you should contact the Care Quality Commission.

Care Quality Commission

Tel: 03000 616161 Web: www.cqc.org.uk Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

What should you do if you are suspicious that Modern Slavery is happening near you?

If you believe a person is being subject to Modern Slavery, report to the police on: 101 or in an emergency where there is immediate threat, call: 999.

If you or the person you are concerned about is not in immediate danger, you should ring our Customer Services Centre on: 01609 780780. This is a 24-hour service.

You will be able to speak to an experienced adviser who will listen to your concerns, take them seriously and treat you with dignity and respect. You will be offered support and your concerns will be directed to a specialist worker who will arrange to meet with you.

You may have a relative, friend or independent advocate present if you wish. Together, you will discuss the issues and agree a plan to keep you as safe and independent as possible. We want to help you to reach the outcome you want and ensure you are aware of your options.

We may involve other agencies to help support you safely, but we will agree this together. Where the abuse is a crime, the police need to be involved to prevent other people from suffering as well. We will jointly help to support you. If you are worried about contacting the police, you can contact us to talk things over first. You can also call the Modern Slavery helpline: 0800 012 1700 (open 24/7), report online at: www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report or call anonymously via CrimeStoppers on: 0800 555 111.