What is abuse?

What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of a person's human and civil rights by any other person.

It is where someone does something to another person, or to themselves, which puts them at risk of harm and impacts on their health and wellbeing.

Harm may also be caused unintentionally, perhaps because of a lack of training or knowledge. Abuse comes in many forms and can often have a damaging effect on the health and wellbeing of an individual, the effects may be short term, or may last a long time.  

Who causes abuse?

The person causing harm may be known to the person suffering abuse. They could be a friend, a relative or a neighbour. They may be in a professional in a position of trust and power. Abuse can happen anywhere, including at home or in public places.  It can be a single incident or repeated acts of abuse and neglect.

Signs of abuse

The signs of abuse aren't always obvious, and the victim may not tell anyone what is happening to them - sometimes they may not even be aware they are being abused.

Abuse and harm may happen to anyone – but for safeguarding adults duties to apply under the Care Act the person must have (or appear to have) care and support needs and be unable to protect themselves from the harm because of those needs.

People without care and support needs may still need assistance and intervention, even if this is not through the local authority.  Abuse and harm often involve criminal or civil offences; there are also a wide range of organisations who can offer help outside of the safeguarding adults process to those in need.