Abuse or neglect can take many forms. It may be a single act or repeated acts. It can be active or passive. It can fall under one type or can involve multiple types.
Physical abuse
Assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, unnecessary/unjustified restraint, inappropriate physical sanctions.
Sexual abuse
Rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual acts to which the adult has not consented, was pressure into consenting, or is unable to consent.
Sexual exploitation
Involves exploitative situations, contexts, and relationships where adults at risk (or a third person or persons) receive 'something' (e.g., food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. It affects men as well as women. People who are sexually exploited do not always perceive they are being exploited. In all cases, those exploiting the adult have power over them by virtue of age, gender, intellect, physical strength, and/or economic or other resources. There is a distinct inequality in the relationship.
Neglect and acts of omission
Ignoring medical, emotional, or physical care needs; failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services; withholding the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition, and heating. Neglect also includes a failure to intervene in dangerous situations, especially when the person lacks the mental capacity to assess risk.
Organisational abuse
Neglect and poor care practices within an institution or care setting (hospital, care home) or in relation to care provided in one's own home. May range from one-off incidents to ongoing ill-treatment. It can be due to neglect or poor professional practice resulting from the structure, policies, processes, and practices within an organisation.
Financial or material abuse
Theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult's financial affairs or arrangements (including wills, property, inheritance, or financial transactions) and the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits. An adult at risk may be persuaded to part with large sums of money or life savings. Such concerns should be reported to the Police and, if relevant, local Trading Standards. If the abuse is by someone with authority to manage the adult at risk's finances, inform the Office of the Public Guardian (Deputies/Attorneys) or the DWP (Appointees).
Mate crime
A mate crime is defined as a situation where vulnerable people are befriended by members of the community who exploit them. It is often carried out by someone the adult knows, usually in private, and may not be illegal but can have a negative impact. Safeguarding Adults Reviews have highlighted cases involving people with learning disabilities harmed by supposed friends.
Psychological abuse
Emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, isolation.
Discriminatory abuse
Discrimination on grounds of race, faith or religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or political views, including racist, sexist, homophobic, or ageist comments or jokes, or comments based on a person's disability. Excluding a person from activities because they are 'not liked' is discriminatory.
Hate crime
Crimes motivated by protected characteristics (race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, disability, etc.). The definition is based on the victim's or another's perception and includes incidents that may not constitute a criminal offence.
Domestic Abuse
Behaviour of a person towards another person aged 16 or over who is personally connected to them, where the behaviour is abusive. Abuse may include physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, coercive or controlling behaviour, economic abuse, psychological, emotional, or other abuse.
Female Genital Mutilation
Involves procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The procedure has no health benefits for girls or women. The Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003) makes it illegal to practice FGM in the UK or to take girls who are British nationals or permanent residents of the UK abroad for FGM, whether it is lawful in another country.
Forced Marriage
A marriage in which one or both parties are married without their consent or against their will. A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in which both parties consent to the assistance of a third party in identifying a spouse.
Honour Based Abuse
Honour Based Abuse is a crime or incident that has or may have been committed to protect or defend the Honour of the family and/or community.
Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking
Slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude. Traffickers use coercion, deception, and other means to force individuals into abuse, servitude, and inhumane treatment.
Self-neglect and/or hoarding
A wide range of behaviours neglecting personal hygiene, health, or surroundings, including hoarding. Self-neglect may not prompt a section 42 Enquiry; assess case by case. The safeguarding response depends on the adult's ability to protect themselves with or without external support.
You may become concerned that someone is being abused in several 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- or routine-oriented 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, perhaps overfriendly, neglects professional development
You may not know. It is enough that you are worried.
Immediate danger
If an adult is in immediate danger, seriously injured, or a crime is happening now, call 999. This includes situations such as physical or sexual assault, serious neglect, or immediate risk to life. The police and emergency services will respond and work with safeguarding teams to protect the person. You should also raise a Safeguarding Concern as covered below.
Safeguarding concerns
If you are worried that an adult may be experiencing abuse or neglect, contact the Adult Safeguarding Hub:
- Phone: 0118 974 6371 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
- Out of hours: 01344 351999 (Emergency Duty Team)
- Email: AdultSafeguardingHub@wokingham.gov.uk
- Online: Use the secure Report abuse of an adult form on the Council website
- You do not need proof to raise a concern. Sharing a reasonable worry is the right thing to do. The Adult Safeguarding Hub staff will listen, ask relevant questions, and decide what support or action is needed.
- If you are unsure whether something meets safeguarding thresholds, you can contact the Hub for advice and consultation.
Consent and information sharing
Where possible, talk to the adult and discuss that you will be raising your concerns. However, if doing so will increase risk to them, you do not have to seek their consent, and information can be shared without consent to protect safety. Data protection law allows this for safeguarding purposes. Always record your decision-making in line with your organisation's procedures.
When safeguarding is not the right route
Not all concerns will lead to a formal safeguarding enquiry. If there is no current abuse or neglect, the Adult Safeguarding Hub may advise other support options. For general adult social care support, contact the Health & Social Care Hub on 0300 365 1234.
Fire safety concerns
If you are worried about fire risk for someone who may be vulnerable (e.g., due to age, disability, or hoarding), you can refer them for a Safe & Well visit from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Email: prevention@rbfrs.co.uk
If there is an immediate fire risk, call 999.
Key reminder
The adult's safety and wellbeing come first. Take concerns seriously, act early, and follow your organisation's safeguarding procedures alongside contacting the local authority and, where appropriate, the Police. A trauma-informed approach means listening carefully, acting respectfully, and involving the person as much as possible in decisions about their safety.