Abuse - Adult
Borough of Poole Adult Social Services - with the support of the Police, Health organisations, Housing, voluntary and independent organisations - are committed to tackling abuse of vulnerable adults. We do this by drawing attention to the problem and making it easy for concerned people to contact the Borough of Poole Adult Social Services Helpdesk to report what they believe to be abuse of vulnerable adults.
Together we can safeguard and protect vulnerable adults, and prevent and stop abuse from happening.
We are asking you to hear it > see it > say it.
Who are vulnerable adults?
Who are vulnerable adults?
A Vulnerable Adult is any person aged 18 or over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of:
- mental or other disability, age or illness and;
- who is or may be unable to take care of him/herself; or
- unable to protect him/herself from significant harm or serious exploitation.
Who might be at risk of abuse?
Some adults may be more at risk than others, including:
Some adults may be more at risk than others, including:
- People who depend on others for their care.
Older people who are dependent on others.
People with mental health problems.
People with learning or physical disabilities.
People with sight or hearing impairment or loss.
People with dementia.
People who misuse substances.
People with long-term health needs
What is abuse?
Abuse is when someone else does something to another person which damages their quality of life or puts them at risk of harm. Abuse can be a criminal act when it is an offence against another person. It can happen once or repeatedly. Abuse may be carried out as the result of deliberate actions, negligence or ignorance.
Forms of abuse
Abuse can take many forms:
§ Physical
Being hit or injured on purpose.
Restraining someone inappropriately.
§ Emotional
Intimidation, threats, humiliation, extortion, racial, verbal or psychological abuse. Exploitation, coercion, harassment.
§ Sexual
Involvement in a sexual activity which is unwanted or not understood.
Unwanted sexual attention.
§ Neglect / Deprivation
Not providing food, clothing, attention or care.
Withholding of aids or equipment (continence, walking, hearing, glasses).
Putting someone at risk of infection.
Failure to provide access to appropriate health or social care.
Misuse of medication.
Inappropriately giving medication, overdosing or withholding it.
§ Imposed Isolation/Confinement
Being refused the company of others either at home or outside.
§ Financial
The theft or misuse of money, property or personal possessions.
Pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance.
§ Discriminatory
Treating people less favourably and unfairly on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation.
Self-inflicted injury may be a sign that abuse is taking place, eg. because someone feels disturbed.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship together, or between family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
If you suspect domestic violence is happening to someone please go to our domestic violence page.
Who might abuse?
If you suspect domestic violence is happening to someone please go to our domestic violence page.
Sadly it can be anyone including relatives and friends. Research by Action on Elder Abuse suggests that as many as one in eleven older people in the UK are mistreated or neglected by those they trust the most. Two thirds of these are abused by members of their own family. Care staff, too, can be abusers. There are many examples of this, including those where the abusers have deliberately chosen to work in environments where there will be vulnerable people, such as those with learning disabilities.
Where does it happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere - in a person's home, in the street, in a residential or nursing home, at a day centre or resource centre, in a hospital or indeed any place where vulnerable people might be.
What should I do if I suspect a vulnerable adult is being abused?
If you believe that someone is being abused contact the Borough of Poole Adult Social Services Help Desk:
Tel. 01202 633902
Out of Hours Service tel. 01202 657279 5pm-8.40am Mon to Thurs and 4pm-8.40am Fri to Mon including Bank Holidays.
E-mail sshelpdesk@poole.gov.uk.
If someone tells you they are being abused:
§ Do
Stay calm and listen to them.
Take what you are being told seriously.
Offer support to help them access support to stop the abuse happening.
Be aware that medical or other evidence might be needed so keep the evidence safe.
Make a written note of what you have been told.
You will be listened to and you will be supported.
§ Do Not
Press the person for more details (these can be taken later).
Assume that someone else is aware of the situation and will take action.
Contact the alleged abuser.
Promise to keep it a secret.
Be afraid to contact Social Services or the Police to discuss it.
If you believe a child is at risk, please go to our child protection page.
What should I do if I am being abused?
What should I do if I am being abused?
Contact Adult Social Services. Alternatively, speak to Bournemouth Public Protection Unit during office hours on 01202 220502 (this Unit covers both Bournemouth and Poole). Out of office hours call Poole Police on 01202 222222. In an emergency please phone 999.
What we are doing
What we are doing
If you contact the Adult Social Services Help Desk you will be asked for relevant information about the person you are concerned about, and who is the alleged abuser. You will be asked about yourself, and what you heard or saw. Information will then be shared on a "need to know" basis, but you will be kept informed about who has to be told - for example, the Police if a crime may have been committed.
Together all the relevant agencies will work with the person who may be being abused, to establish what has happened, and what action the person would like to be taken next. Work will also be done with the alleged abuser, and different options will be explored which will prevent, reduce or stop further abuse from happening.
Break the silence. Contact Social Services or the Police; you will be listened to and given advice about what to do.
Further information
For details locally on safeguarding vulnerable adults please contact:
- Adult Social Services Help Desk tel. 01202 633902; Out of Hours 01202 657279; e-mail sshelpdesk@poole.gov.uk
- Hayley Seymour, Principal Officer Primary Care with lead responsibility within Borough of Poole for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults 01202 633675 h.seymour@poole.gov.uk
- Iain Baker, Practice Supervisor for Adult Protection responsible within Borough of Poole for Operational Management in relation to Adult Protection 01202 633407 i.baker@poole.gov.uk
Borough of Poole Social Services Internal Serious Case Review Procedures
Pan-Dorset Adult Protection Procedures on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from abuse Chapters 1-11
Pan-Dorset Adult Protection Procedures on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults from abuse Chapter 12
Other National websites, which you may find useful, are:
Department of Health > Protection of Vulnerable Adults
Department of Health > No Secrets
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline 080 8808 8141
The Ann Craft Trust - protecting people with Learning Disabilities from abuse.
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