Identifying abuse

Some adults aged eighteen and over due to age, disability, illness or lifestyle may not be able to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

Abuse occurs when someone’s human and civil rights are violated by someone else. This can be:

• A single or series of actions of abuse
• Deliberately or unknowingly causing harm
• Failure to protect people from abuse.

Anyone can abuse, often it can be the person you least expect, such as:

• Spouse/partner
• Carers and Care Workers
• Family member/relative
• Friend
• Neighbour
• Volunteer helper
• Someone not known to the person.

Things to look out for:

• Possible changes in the persons behaviour or mood/personality
• Unexplained injury or a series of injuries
• Signs of fear or distress
• Signs of neglect
• Theft, fraud or unexplained financial worries.