Service Users > What is Abuse?

“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.