Adults at Risk of Abuse or Neglect

What is abuse?

Adult abuse is when a person is treated in a bad way or in a way that makes them feel frightened or unhappy, is harmed, hurt or exploited – particularly by someone they know or should be able to trust. The abuse can vary from treating someone with disrespect in a way which significantly affects the person’s quality of life, to causing actual physical suffering.

Who may be an 'adult at risk'?

The definition of an 'adult at risk' is:
An 'Adult at risk' is a person aged 18 years or older who:

(a) is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect
(b) has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs), and
(c) as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it

Examples of an 'adult at risk' may include people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and disabled people particularly when their situation is complicated by additional factors such as physical frailty, chronic illness, sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, lack of mental capacity, social and emotional problems, poverty, homelessness or substance misuse.

Abuse is defined as:

"a violation of an individual's human and civil rights by another person or persons which results in significant harm."
Abuse can happen anywhere - in a residential or nursing home, a hospital, in the workplace, a your own home, at a day centre or educational establishment, or in supported housing.

Forms of abuse include:

• Physical abuse such as hitting, pushing, pinching, shaking, using too much medication or not allowing a person to take their medication.
• Sexual abuse such as forcing someone into unwanted sexual activity, being touched inappropriately, rape, sexual assault, or sexual acts which you have not have consented to, or which you were pressurised into consenting to.
• Psychological or emotional abuse such as being intimidated, threatened, verbally abused or humiliated, being blamed, controlled or harassed, being ignored on purpose or isolated from friends, family, services or support.
• Financial abuse such as fraud or exploitation, stealing or withholding your money or spending it inappropriately, putting pressure on you to make changes to your will or misusing your property, inheritance, possessions or benefits.
• Neglect such as ignoring your medical or physical care needs, preventing access to health, social care or educational services, not caring for you properly, not providing you with adequate food, or putting you at risk.

Any of these forms of abuse can be either deliberate or be the result of ignorance, or lack of training, knowledge or understanding. Sometimes people may be being abused in more than one way.

Who might be causing the abuse?

The person who is responsible for the abuse may be known to you and could be:

• A paid carer
• A health worker, social care or other worker
• Friend or neighbour - someone in a position of trust to the 'adult at risk'
• Another resident or service user
• A relative – looking after an 'adult at risk' can be difficult

If you are unsure that someone may be suffering but are worried, or if you are concerned that they have suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please tell us about it straight away.

What to do if you suspect an adult is at risk

If you suspect an adult is at immediate risk of harm you need to call 999 and speak to the South Wales Police.

If you suspect that an adult is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed you have a duty to report it and you can do this by submitting a duty to report form or by contacting the agencies below. 

Confidentiality

Please note that anything you say will be treated sensitively, but  this information will need to be shared with other agencies to help investigate the concern, such as health services, the police or people who monitor the quality of registered services. We take care to ensure that this information is only shared with those people involved in the process.

Cwm Taf Safeguarding Website

This website contains information on the range of safeguarding issues faced in Cwm Taf and, importantly, how to spot the warning signs and seek further support. 

It has bespoke sections for adults, children, parents/carers and professionals and has been designed as an inclusive site full of tips, information and guidance for people who have concerns – for themselves or someone else.

For more information please visit Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board website

Useful Links and Resources:

Any Man Can…Experience Domestic Abuse

Merthyr Tydfil

Teulu.mac@smt.org.uk
01685 388444
Mobile/Text Service - 07539 170396

Safer Merthyr Tydfil

The Live Fear Free helpline 

This is a confidential, free phone support and information service for anyone experiencing domestic or sexual abuse or wanting more information on available support service and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact the Live Fear Free Helpline on Freephone 0808 80 10 800

You can also visit the Live Fear Free website for further information.

Men’s Advice Line 
Phone: 0808 801 0327
Email:  info@mensadviceline.org.uk 

ManKind 

01823 224244 

Further information regarding Domestic Abuse:

Cwm Taf Morgannwg Domestic Abuse

Care Inspectorate Wales

Raising a concern about care services