Signs of abuse

You may become concerned that someone is being abused in a number of ways:

• the person may tell you
• the person may say something that worries you
• you may see something – an incident or an injury or other sign

 You might see and/or hear something happen:

• someone being bullied or intimidated
• someone being made to feel frightened or unhappy
• someone in a situation of unnecessary risk

The person or somebody else might say something that gives cause for concern, for example:

• a colleague
• family member
• member of the public

There might be physical signs or unexplained or unusual injuries:

• bruises                             
• slap marks
• black eyes                       
• bleeding
• burns or scalding           
• cigarette marks
• torn, stained or blood stained clothes

 There may be other signs such as:

• inappropriate, dirty or soiled clothes
• no food or drink available for the person
• bills not being paid or services, e.g. telephone cut off
• shortage of money

The person might say things or behave in a way that causes you concern:

• the person may seem unhappy or distressed
• the person may appear frightened, anxious or agitated without an obvious cause, or in relation to certain people
• sleeping problems
• constant visits to the toilet without a medical reason
• other unexplained changes in how the person behaves

The behaviour of a colleague or other person might cause concern:

• dismissive or intolerant attitude
• task / routine orientated rather than person focused
• not a team player; insists on doing tasks on their own or in their way; secretive about contact with clients
• oversteps professional boundaries with clients and colleagues, maybe overfriendly; neglects professional development

You may not know. It is enough that you are worried. You must act.