What is abuse and neglect?
Abuse and neglect can occur anywhere: in your own home or a public place, while you’re in hospital or attending a day centre, or in a college or care home.
Types of Abuse and Neglect
Physical abuse including:
Assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint, inappropriate physical sanctions
Sexual abuse including:
Rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, sexual assault, sexual acts to which the adult has not consented 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, cyber bullying, isolation, unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks
Financial or material abuse including:
Theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits
Modern slavery encompasses:
Slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude, traffickers and slave masters using whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment
Read Modern slavery: Modern slavery- how the UK is leading the fight for further information
Discriminatory abuse including forms of:
Harassment, slurs, or similar treatment, because of-
Race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion
Read Discrimination- your rights for further information.
Organisational abuse
Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.
Neglect and acts of omission including:
Ignoring medical needs, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition, and heating
Self-neglect
This covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. It should be noted that self-neglect may not prompt a safeguarding enquiry. An assessment should be made on a case-by-case basis. A decision on whether a response is required under safeguarding will depend on the adult’s ability to protect themselves by controlling their own behaviour. There may come a point when they are no longer able to do this, without external support.
Domestic Abuse including:
Psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse, coercive control, so called ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Knowsley Crime and Safety: Knowsley Support with Domestic Abuse
- Knowsley Domestic Abuse Strategy: Knowsley Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022-25
- The Domestic Abuse Act 2021: The Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Further information:
- The First Step
- Refuge
- Women’s Aid
- Respect – men and women working together to end domestic abuse
- CAADA – Coordinated Action against Domestic Abuse
For information about real safeguarding cases: Real Safeguarding Stories