Information for the General Public > What is Abuse?
There is no nationally
agreed, single definition of adult abuse. It is suggested in ‘No
Secrets’ that:
“Abuse is a violation of an individual’s
human and civil rights
by another person or persons.”
Sunderland Safeguarding Adults Partnership also recognise that:
- abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts
- abuse may be intentional or unintentional
- abuse may be perpetrated by an individual, group or organisation
- abuse often occurs when there is a misuse of power, control and/or authority
Who might need the help of the Safeguarding
Adults process?
Those adults more likely to be at increased risk of abuse,
or less able to protect themselves from abuse are:
- those, aged 18 years and over, who are or may be eligible
- to receive support from social care or health services
- and who may be unable to take care of themselves or unable
- to protect themselves against serious harm or exploitation
- and whose independence and well-being would be/or is at risk if they did not receive appropriate health or social
care support
Where does abuse take place?
Abuse can occur anywhere. People can be abused in their own homes,
in residential or nursing homes, in day services, at work, in education
settings, in hospitals, health centres or surgeries, police stations
or in public places.
Who are the abusers?
Anyone can be an abuser - neighbours, friends, relatives, partners,
people in a position of trust, people paid to provide social care
or health services, volunteers, strangers. Institutions, large and
small, can be abusive if the care they provide is of a poor quality.
Some abusers will deliberately target people they see as vulnerable
and therefore easy to exploit.
Types of abuse
and what to look out for
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Physical Abuse The physical ill treatment
of an adult, which may or may not cause physical injury. Signs
and symptoms may include: unexplained bruising or scratches;
burns, particularly in unusual places; unexplained fractures;
sudden incontinence; flinching; evidence of under/over use
of medication.
Sexual Abuse
Any sexual activity, physical contact or non-contact, which
the adult does not want: rape; buggery; incest; unwanted touching;
serious teasing or sexual innuendo; being forced to look at
pornographic material. Signs and symptoms may include: urinary
tract infections; vaginal infections; bruising and/or pain
in the genital/anal area; torn, stained or bloody underclothing;
over-sexualised behaviour or language.
Financial or Material Abuse
Inappropriate use of a person’s money; stealing a person’s
money, property or possessions; blocking access to a person’s
material goods; denying a person’s rights, for example,
the right to seek independent legal advice, to vote or complain.
Signs and symptoms may include: constant lack of money; unexplained
withdrawals from bank accounts; disparity between assets/income
and the way a person is living; the disappearance of bank
statements, receipts documents or valuables.
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Psychological Abuse Being repeatedly made
to feel unhappy, anxious, afraid, humiliated or devalued by
the actions or inactions and/or attitudes of others; intimidation;
rejection; a person’s choices and opinions being ignored.
Signs and symptoms may include: depression; low self-esteem;
self-neglect; anxiety; tearfulness; becoming withdrawn; isolation;
agitation.
Institutional Abuse
The practice of an abusive regime or culture which destroys
the dignity and respect to which every person is entitled;
can occur within services, organisations, residential care,
as well as within family homes.
Signs and symptoms may include: lack of privacy; denying or
failing to promote individual rights; oppressive environment,
routines or culture; unsafe or unhygienic environment; individual
needs sacrificed for the smooth running of a service, home
or organisation.
Neglect
The deliberate withholding, or unintentional failure to provide
appropriate and adequate care and support; physical neglect;
incorrect administration of medication; failure to provide
adequate nutrition, heating or clothing. Signs and symptoms
may include: poor physical condition/appearance; skin ulcers
or pressure sores; poor hygiene; unexplained weight loss;
malnutrition; dehydration; reduced mobility due to deprivation
of aids.
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Discriminatory Abuse
May show itself as any of the other types of abuse listed
above. For example someone may be punched and kicked, which would
be a physical abuse, but it would also be discriminatory abuse if
the reason for them being punched and kicked was that the abuser
did not like the person’s appearance or colour of their skin.
Discriminatory abuse is any type of abuse that is motivated by
oppressive and discriminatory attitudes towards a person’s
disability, race, gender, age, religion, cultural background, sexual
orientation, political opinions or their appearance.
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