Knowsley Safeguarding Adults Board

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Staying safe in your home

The following links/information may be useful to help you stay safe in your home;

Doorstep safety & scams
A scam is a term used to describe any fraudulent business or scheme that takes money or other goods from an unsuspecting person. Scams can come in many forms, but all are designed to get hold of your money by getting you to reveal your personal details, stealing your information, or even getting you to willingly hand over the cash.

Types of scams can include:

  • Doorstep scams
  • Mail scams
  • Internet scams
  • Call scams

Predatory Marriage
Predatory Marriage is the practice of intentionally targeting and marrying a vulnerable (older adult /or adult who lacks mental capacity) person in order to gain access to their estate and assets upon their death.

Predatory Marriage relies on grooming and coercion to exert control over another person to persuade them to marry for financial, material or other gain.

For more information please KSAB-7-minute-briefing-predatory-marriage.pdf (knowsleysafeguardingadultsboard.co.uk) and visit Predatory Marriage UK – Reforming marriage laws and procedures to protect people with dementia.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is a pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. It is the misuse of power and control by one person over another.

Domestic abuse can be perpetrated by a partner, an ex-partner, or a family member (when two people are “personally connected” to each other). It is categorised as domestic abuse when both parties are 16 and over. It is never acceptable. It is very common and there are support services available to help.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
  • Psychological and/or emotional abuse (e.g.name calling, put downs)
  • Physical (e.g. being hit) or sexual abuse (e.g. rape or degrading treatment)
  • Financial or economic abuse (e.g. having money withheld)
  • Stalking and Harassment
  • Online or digital abuse

How to access support or report domestic abuse?
If you or anyone you know requires support relating to Domestic Abuse, please refer to the following advice and support services.
In an emergency please always call the police on: 999

Local Support Services: Monday – Friday
Knowsley Council Safer Communities Domestic Abuse Service:
Tel: 0151 443 2610
or email: Enquiries.safercommunities@knowsley.gov.uk  

The First Step (Specialist Independent Domestic Abuse Service):
Tel: 0151 548 3333
www.thefirststep.org.uk

Knowsley Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub:
Tel: 0151 443 2600 (24 hours)

Housing Support: Knowsley Housing Solutions Service:
Tel: 0151 443 2333

Further support is also offered by these national agencies:

Regional and National Support Services

Further support is also offered by these national agencies:

  • victimcaremerseyside.org (directory of services)
  • Women’s Aid​
    www.womensaid.org.uk 
  • National Domestic Violence Helpline:
    Tel: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
  • National Stalking Helpline:
    Tel: 0808 802 0300
  • Worst Kept Secret Helpline
    Tel: 0800 028 3398.
  • Refuge (includes information for men) 
    www.refuge.org.uk
    Tel: 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)

What you can do about scams

The links below provide more information about scams and how to protect yourself:

Cuckooing

The term ‘Cuckooing’ comes from the behaviour of cuckoo birds who take over the nests of other birds.  In safeguarding cuckooing describes how others take over a person’s home and use it for criminal activities.  These activities can involve producing, storing and, or supplying drugs or weapons.  It can sometimes involve holding parties and encouraging sexual activity. It can be part of a bigger, organised plan to move drugs, weapons and people around the country.  

Cuckooing can happen to anyone of any age, in rented or homeowner property. Cuckooing starts by someone gaining trust through offering the person free drugs, gifts and/or lots of attention; however, this may progress to threats of violence and/or the victim being made to pay off drug debts through use of their home.  Victims may be forced to stay in their bedroom or prevented from freely using other rooms in their property.  They are usually intimidated and left to feel like they have little choice but to cooperate and they may feel forced to do things that they don’t want to do. 

Many of the signs of cuckooing look like anti-social behaviour. However, being aware and recognising the indicators of cuckooing and raising your concerns about what may appear to be anti-social behaviour to the Council, or the appropriate housing provider, will help tackle both issues. 

Victims of ‘cuckooing’ are usually vulnerable in some way.  Adults at increased risk may include:

  1. Mental health problems
  2. Drug / alcohol addiction
  3. Physical disability
  4. Learning disability
  5. Elderly / frail
  6. Care and support needs
  7. Previous homelessness
  8. Poverty

For further information on cuckooing please see our 7 minute briefing or the tackling cuckooing multi agency guidance document.  If you are worried about cuckooing please click the raise a concern button.

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