Information for patients, their families and carers

This provides information about the different forms of abuse and what to do if you or someone you know is being abused.

Image of two palms with words see it and stop it written in ink

What is abuse?
Abuse is any action that harms another person. It can happen just once or many times. It can affect just you or other people as well. It can be on purpose or it can happen without people meaning it to.

Remember abuse is always wrong.
 

Who might be abused or neglected?

Anybody can be abused or neglected but it happens more often to people who are 18 years or over, have care and support needs and are unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs. This includes:

  • people who are older, frail or have dementia
  • have physical disabilities
  • have learning difficulties/disabilities
  • have mental health problems
  • depend on others to help them.

Where may abuse happen?
Abuse can take place anywhere, including:

  • the home, whether a person lives alone or with someone else
  • a care home or nursing home
  • in day care
  • in hospital
  • any place where support services are being provided
  • in a public place
  • at work
  • on the internet or phone.

Types of abuse include
Physical abuse is when someone is hurt physically, this includes being hit, slapped, kicked, pinched, pushed, unauthorised restraint, withholding food or being forcibly fed, unexplained injuries.

Sexual abuse includes being touched on any part of the body that is not wanted. Being made to touch or kiss someone else, being raped, being made to view sexual acts or material or made to listen to sexual comments when it is not wanted, rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.

Financial abuse is when someone steals money, belongings or property. This includes being pressurised into giving people money or paying for things, theft, fraud, exploitation It can be a misuse of benefits and not being allowed access to your money.

Discriminatory abuse is not being allowed to do things because of age, culture, disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marriage or civil partnership, race, sexual orientation or religion or belief.

Modern slavery can take many forms including, but not limited to, sexual exploitation, forced labour, trafficking, domestic servitude or slavery.

Neglect and Acts of Omission is when medical, physical or emotional needs are ignored. This could include failure to provideaccess to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating; or being left in wet or dirty clothes.

Self-neglect may happen when a person is unable and/or unwilling to care for themselves or allow others to do so.

Organisational abuse neglect / poor care within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home. It includes a lack of individual care, no flexibility of bedtimes or waking, deprived environment or lack of stimulation.

Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of their gender or sexuality. It includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

Psychological or emotional abuse includes when someone is being threatened, not being given choices, humiliation, verbal abuse, coercion, being bullied or isolated from other people, emotional abuse, blaming, controlling, intimidation, harassment, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.

Who can be an abuser?
Partner or a family member, relative, friend or neighbour, stranger, paid carer, volunteer, a member of staff or any other service user, anyone who has contact with the vulnerable adult, another adult at risk.

What can I do?
If you are being abused, or think someone you know may be at risk of abuse, it is important that you tell someone immediately

How to raise a concern about abuse and neglect?

In an emergency dial 999.

You can raise a concern by speaking to a member of Homerton Hospital staff (if on site), your GP or anyone you trust for example someone in your family, carer or any other professional involved in your care. You can contact the local authority in person, by telephone, by email. The contact details for a number of organisations who may be able to help can be found on pages 5 and 6 of this booklet. They will take your concerns seriously, will be able to provide advice and support, and will take action to make sure everyone is safe.

Who can I contact?

  • Police Emergency 999
  • Police Non-emergency number 101
  • To report a safeguarding concern in Hackney call 020 8356 5782 or email adultprotection@hackney.gov.uk
  • To report a concern in the City call 020 7332 1224 or email adultsduty@cityoflondon.gov.uk