Protecting adults
Abuse of adults and how you can act to prevent it from happening.
What do we mean by abuse?
Abuse is when someone does something to another person that puts him or her at risk of harm or negatively impacts on his or her quality of life. Abuse may be deliberate or be the result of ignorance or lack of training and can happen once or repeatedly. Abuse can be a criminal act when it is an offence against another person.
Who might be at risk of abuse?
This infomration is about adults, people who are over 18 years of age. Some adults may be more at risk than others, these include:
- People who, because of age or illness, depend on others for care
- People with mental ill health
- People with learning or physical disabilities
- People with sight or hearing impairment or loss
- People with dementia
- People with long term health needs
- People who misuse drugs or alcohol.
Who can abuse?
Anyone can be an abuser.
Where does it happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere.
Abuse can take many forms including:
- Physical abuse - being hit or injured on purpose.
- Sexual abuse - involvement in sexual activity that is unwanted or not understood
- Emotional - intimidation, threats, humiliation, verbal or psychological abuse or being prevented from receiving services or support
- Neglect - not providing food, clothing, attention or care. Failure to provide appropriate access to health and social care, withholding aids or equipment
- Discriminatory - treating people differently or worse than you want to be treated because they are older, more frail, confused or otherwise vulnerable
- Financial/material - theft or misuse of money, property or personal possessions, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance
- Misuse of medication - giving medication inappropriately, overdosing or withholding medication
Signs and symptoms of abuse may include:
- Injuries, bruises or weight loss
- Behaviour changes such as being withdrawn or depressed
- Self harm.
What should you do if someone tells you they are being abused?
Do
- Stay calm
- Take what you are being told seriously
- Contact Manchester City Council or the Police.
Do Not
- Be afraid to contact Manchester City Council, the Police or any other professional person who you trust to help you.
What should you do if you see or hear of a person being abused or if it's happening to you?
Report it:
- Manchester City Council: 0161 234 5001
- Greater Manchester Police: 101 (Non-emergency number)
- In an emergency ring 999.
With your help we can take action to keep vulnerable adults safe from abuse.