Information for the General Public

Can we help?

• If a crime is being, or has been, committed you should contact the police. In an emergency dial 999. Or you can call Northumbria Police Main Switchboard - 0191 454 7555.

• If your concern is urgent but it is outside of office hours you can telephone the Safeguarding Adults
24 hour Helpline – 0191 528 2748.

Alternatively, you can telephone Adult Services Out of Hours (Emergency)
Duty Team – 0191 528 9110.

• If you would like further information about Sunderland’s Safeguarding Adults Procedures you can contact the
Safeguarding Adults Team – 0191 566 1736 or 0191 566 1606

What is abuse?
There is no nationally agreed, single definition of adult abuse. It is suggested in ‘No Secrets’ that:

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

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