What is abuse?

Abuse can be something that is done to a person or it can be something that is omitted from being done.  Abuse exists in various forms and can be perpetuated by one or more people.

Whatever the abuse or the setting, abuse is not acceptable and a violation of a person’s basic human rights.

It can be:

Physical eg hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions

Sexual eg rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressurised into consenting

Psychological eg emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks

Financial or material eg theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits

Neglect and acts of omission eg ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating

Discriminatory eg racist, sexist, or acts based on a person’s disability or age; also includes other forms of harassment, slurs, or similar treatment such as disability hate crime

Who is at risk of abuse?

Anyone can be at risk of abuse. However, the information on these pages is concerned with those people who, because of their circumstances or situation, have been defined as ‘vulnerable adults’, as we have particular responsibilities for this group.

Who is a vulnerable adult?

A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 years or over who needs to depend on other people for at least some of their care and support and is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation. This can be because of:

  • Learning disabilities
  • Mental health problems
  • Age or illness
  • Physical disability or impairment

Where does abuse happen?

Abuse can happen in any setting including:

  • a person’s home (including a care or nursing home)
  • at work
  • at college
  • in a hospital
  • at a day centre or
  • anywhere else that people spend their time eg leisure centres

Due to the wide range of settings where abuse can happen, perpetrators of abuse are a diverse group and can fall into three main categories: 

  • paid staff members or support workers
  • unpaid family members, partners or carers
  • other vulnerable adults

Why does abuse happen?

There is no single explanation for why abuse happens. Reasons can include:

  • care staff not getting the right kind, or enough, training or supervision
  • carers not getting the right kind, or enough, support 
  • people wishing to deliberately harm a vulnerable adult
  • situations where there is a misuse of power, control and/or authority