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Psychological Abuse                                                        Which adults are at risk of abuse?

Without the visible signs of physical abuse, psychological abuse

can stay hidden for years. Psychological abuse can affect a                Adult abuse can happen to anyone who is aged 18 or over.

person’s thoughts and feelings as well as exert control over their life.   However adults may be at ‘greater risk’ of abuse and neglect, less

Potential indicators include:                                              able to protect themselves and ask for help:

● Exclusion from meaningful events or activities                           ● If they have a physical, mental, sensory, learning or cognitive illness

● Ignoring, imitating or mocking the person

● Insulting the person and isolating the person                              or disability

●  Name calling and yelling                                                ● Linked to above; if they need assistance with everyday tasks

● Swearing and threatening                                                 ● If they rely on others for some kind of social care or health support

●  Threatening to take away something that is important.                   ● If they are in receipt of care

                                                                           ● If they are informal carers, family and friends who provide care on

Self-Neglect                                                                   an unpaid basis.

This covers a wide range of behaviour’s including neglecting to care 

for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings, and hoarding.          This list is not exhaustive.

This could also involve refusal of services, treatment, assessments

or intervention, which could potentially improve self-care or care of      Where does abuse occur?

one’s environment. 

                                                                           Abuse can occur anywhere, examples include:

Sexual Abuse & Exploitation                                                ● Care Homes, Day Centres

Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate        ● Hospitals/Health Services

looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography,       ●  In a Carers home, in the adult’s own home (including on-line)

subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts. Sexual                ● Public Places

exploitation is the sexual abuse of an adult in exchange for attention,    ● Supported Living arrangements

affection, food, drugs, shelter, protection, other basic necessities and/  ●  Work, College or University.

or money, and could be part of a seemingly consensual relationship. 

The person being exploited may believe their abuser is their friend,       Who are the perpetrators of abuse?

boyfriend or girlfriend. 

The abuser may:                                                            Anyone can be an abuser, examples include:

● Physically or verbally threaten the victim                               ● Family members/relatives (including partners)

● Take indecent photographs of them and circulate to others                ●  Friends or Neighbours

● Be violent towards them or try to isolate them from friends              ● Other service users (including in Care Homes, Hospitals etc)

    and family.                                                            ● Professionals (including paid Carers)

                                                                           ● Strangers

                                                                           ●  Unpaid Carers, Volunteers.



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