What is abuse?

The most common types of abuse are:

Physical abuse

This is usually the use of force to cause pain and injury. Signs such as burns, bruising, scratches, accidents which cannot be explained, are common signs of abuse.

Sexual abuse

These are sexual acts which the vulnerable adult does not want and have not consented to, cannot understand and are not able to consent to, and/or was pressurised or manipulated into consent. Signs may be changes in behaviour or physical discomfort.

Psychological or Emotional abuse

This can be emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, blaming or controlling behaviour, verbal or racial abuse or enforced isolation. Signs may be fear, confusion or disturbed sleep.

Financial/Material abuse

This is when a vulnerable adult is exploited for financial gain. Often valuables will go missing in the home or there may be a change in the financial circumstances of the adult which cannot be explained.

Neglect

A vulnerable adult may not have their basic needs met, such as feeding, help with personal hygiene. As a result there may be a deterioration of health, or in a person’s appearance or mood.  This does not include situations where people have the mental capacity to make informed decisions and choose to neglect  themselves despite professional advice about risks or offer of service. Signs may be dehydration, malnutrition, inadequate clothing, pressure sores and non use or response to prescribed medication

Institutional Abuse

Institutional abuse can sometimes happen in residential homes, nursing homes or hospitals when people are mistreated because of poor or inadequate care, neglect and poor practice that affects the whole of that service.

Discriminatory abuse

Discriminatory abuse is where  people are inappropriately treated because of  their race, disability, gender, age or sexual orientation. Signs include being withdrawn and fearful as a result of  verbal or physical harassment, or from being shunned or denied cultural needs.

This list is not exhaustive; there are many other types of abuse. For example Domestic Violence.