What is abuse

Abuse is when someone hurts an adult at risk.  An adult at risk is someone who may need more help than others to stay safe.

This could be people who are living with a physical or learning disability, older people, someone with poor mental health, those who may have been ill for a long time, or a person who may be misusing drugs or alcohol.  

Abuse can take many forms and may include: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual abuse, Psychological abuse, Financial or material abuse, Modern slavery, Discriminatory abuse, Organisational abuse, Neglect or acts of omission, Self-neglect.

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

An abuser may be a relative, a partner, someone paid to provide care and services, a volunteer, a neighbour, a friend or stranger, or even someone in a position of trust.

Further information about these types of abuse can be found at SBC - What is abuse