Discriminatory Abuse

Discriminatory Abuse Is when someone is treated unfairly or badly because of who they are, this may be because of their gender, race, disability, religion or sexuality.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse includes controlling, coercive or threatening abusive behaviour and/or violence between people aged over 16 who have been or are in a relationship or family members.

Financial Abuse

Financial Abuse includes theft, fraud, scams or pressuring someone in relation to their finances and financial arrangements.

The most common victims of financial abuse are: 

• older people living alone
  • in receipt of services
  • in bad or very bad health
  • divorced, separated or lonely
  • people with a disability

Sadly, research shows that often those who financially abuse people are often in a position of trust and know the victim, such as a family member. Unfortunately, the elderly or vulnerable are also often targeted for scams.

Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery includes human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude and can have links to sexual exploitation. Modern Slavery is often hidden and it can be difficult to identify, some of the signs that this may be taking place include: 

• victims living in cramped, overcrowded accommodation and/or living and working at the same address
• rarely being allowed to travel on their own
• appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work.

Neglect and Acts of Omission

A person who has responsibility for the care or custody of an adult with care and support needs who fails to provide the amount and type of care required to meet those needs. Neglect and Acts of Omission can be intentional or unintentional. Some examples include:

• ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs
  • failing to provide access to appropriate health, care and support
  • medication errors or omissions

Organisational Abuse

Organisational Abuse includes neglect and poor care practice within a specific care setting such as a hospital or care home. It can also include services who provide home care support. Some of the signs of organisational abuse can include;

• run-down or poor facilities, including the standard of heating and ventilation
  • misuse of medication
  • few or no social or educational activities
  • abusive and disrespectful attitudes towards people using services
• discouraging/refusing visits or involvement of relatives, friends or carers

• Self-Neglect

Self Neglect

Self-Neglect is someone who neglects their own health and/or their surroundings, this also includes hoarding. Alcohol or drug dependency may lead to or escalate to someone neglecting themselves. Self-Neglect can also involve refusal of medication, services, treatment, assessments or intervention which could potentially improve their self-care or care of their environment. In cases of Self-Neglect it is important to consider any potential risks to others, e.g. fire risk to neighbours, neglect of children or animals.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation

Sexual Abuse is any type of sexual activity in which a person has not consented, this can include rape, inappropriate touching and sexual harassment. Sexual Exploitation is the sexual abuse of an adult in exchange for attention, affection, food, drugs, shelter, protection, and/or money.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological Abuse is also known as emotional abuse and includes threats, isolating or excluding someone from family and/or friends, ignoring or mocking the person and/or name calling and yelling. This type of abuse can often be linked to Domestic Abuse, where the perpetrator has significant levels of power and coercive control over the victim.

Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse  is act of violence or force that causes harm to someone else. Some victims may try to cover their injuries in an attempt to hide the abuse due to fear or shame.

Other Forms of Exploitation

There are also other forms of exploitation that you may need to be aware of such as County Lines, Cuckooing and Grooming.