What is abuse?

Abuse takes many forms. It includes:

• any form of harm such as:
  • hitting, injuring or restraining
  • threatening, intimidating or humiliating
  • sexual attention or activity that is not wanted
  • keeping someone on their own
• any form of neglect such as:
  • not giving the correct medicine
  • not providing food or clothing
  • not arranging the right care
• financial abuse such as:
  • stealing or misusing money or property
  • pressure about wills or inheritance
• discrimination such as treating someone less favourably because of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation
• domestic violence and abuse we have further information about domestic violence and abuse

Abuse can happen anywhere - at home, in a care home, hospital or day centre or in public.

Who is at risk?

People may be at risk of abuse if they:

• depend on other people for their care
• are older, frail and unable to protect themselves
• have mental health problems
• have a physical or learning disability
• have serious sight or hearing impairment
• have dementia
• misuse alcohol or drugs
• have a long-term illness