Money, welfare benefits, belongings or property being withheld or stolen by another person.
Signs that may indicate financial or material abuse in adults are:
Withdrawal(s) of sums of money from bank accounts, and/or via cashpoints
Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions
Lack of money, food, clothing, heating
Unusual activity in bank accounts
Unpaid bills
Internet or social media scamming, such as delivery of unexpected parcels
Reluctance on the part of the person with responsibility for the funds to provide basic food and clothes etc
Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming rights to a vulnerable adult’s possessions
Potential misuse of responsibilities by people with power of attorney for an adult
DiscriminationSHOW
Comments or jokes about a person's disability, age, race or sexual orientation.
A report of or observing an adult of being treated unfairly
Behavioural changes, including an individual becoming withdrawn, isolated, angry, frustrated, afraid and anxious
An individual beginning to reject their own cultural background, personal beliefs, sexual preferences or lifestyle choices
Lack of personal belongings
Lack of privacy and dignity
Use of punishments such as withholding food and drink
A lack of support for an individual’s needs
Physical abuseSHOW
Hitting, pushing, slapping, misuse of medication or locking someone in a room.
Signs of physical abuse may include:
An adult reports being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated
Bruising, fractures or burns
Bed sores
Open wounds, cuts, punctures
Untreated injuries in various stages of healing
A sudden change in behaviour by an adult
The caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see a vulnerable adult alone
Unexplained weight loss
Sexual abuseSHOW
Being made to do things of a sexual nature against someone's will.
Signs of sexual abuse may include:
Bleeding, pain, itching or sores around the genitals
Pain or discomfort when walking or sitting
Bruising, especially on the thighs, buttocks, upper arms and neck
Torn, blooded or stained clothing
Sexually transmitted infections or incontinence that is unrelated to a medical diagnosis
Unexplained pregnancy, for example in a woman who is unable to consent to intercourse
Not wanting to receive help with personal care
Exploitation of an adult into sex working
Emotional abuseSHOW
Shouting, swearing, bullying, teasing or humiliating someone.
Signs of emotional abuse may include:
Tearfulness and other signs of distress, including anger in some cases.
Fearfulness or silence when a particular person is around.
Depression
Confusion
Loss of sleep
Unexpected or unexplained change in behaviour
Aggressive shouting causing fear of violence in a public place
Low self-esteem, or withdrawal or change in the emotional state of the person.
Changes in appetite, or weight loss or gain
Insomnia
NeglectSHOW
Ignoring medical or physical care needs.
Signs that an adult may be experiencing neglect include:
Poor personal hygiene
A dirty or unhygienic environment including unsanitary and unclean living conditions
Dehydration
Malnutrition
Unexplained weight loss
Inadequate clothing
Avoiding contact or not taking an adult to meet with medical or social care organisations
Unattended or untreated health problems injuries or medical problems
Self-neglectSHOW
Not attending to your own basic needs, for example personal hygiene, health or surroundings, including hoarding.
Signs of self-neglect in adults may include:
Poor personal hygiene and an unkempt appearance.
Lack of essential food, inappropriate and/or inadequate clothing or shelter.
Poor living conditions, including living in unsanitary conditions, hazardous or unsafe living conditions.
Hoarding of possessions and other items
Malnutrition and/or dehydration.
Inadequate medical care, not taking prescribed medications properly or treat illnesses or injuries
Lack of the necessary medical aids
Homelessness
Domestic abuseSHOW
Including coercive control, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse, and 'honour' based violence.
Signs that an adult may be experiencing neglect include:
Physical indicators, such as:
bruising
broken bones
burns
injuries to the body
Psychological indicators, such as:
being isolated from friends or family
low self-esteem
blaming themselves for things (including their abuse)
humiliation in front of others
person is not able to go out alone
Financial indicators, such as:
limited access to money
damage to the home or other property
When you spot these signs of abuse, there are ways you can speak out. Do not assume someone else will speak out instead of you.
If you are worried that an adult may be at risk of abuse or harm, contact:
Telephone: 023 8083 3003 Outside of normal office hours: 023 8023 3344
What do we mean by abuse or harm?
Every adult deserves the right to live in safety, free from abuse and harm. We call this safeguarding.
The aims of safeguarding are to:
Stop abuse or neglect wherever possible
Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs
Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live, including having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action
The Care Act sets out the responsibilities of professionals to make enquiries when it has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in its area has:
Needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs)
Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
As a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect and the risks of it
What will happen next?
We are able to take a number of actions, which might include:
Listening, helping and supporting the person
Working with them to stop the abuse and protect them or others from further harm
Supporting the person and their carers through the process
If a crime has been committed, we will work with the police
Being available to offer support in the future
If we cannot help, we will find out who can
All matters will be handled confidentially. However, if the issues concern evidence of a crime or unacceptable risk, this may be shared with the appropriate authorities.
What about immediate safety?
SCC aims to respond to concerns as quickly as is required, but please note this is not an emergency service. You are asked to consider the immediate safety of the referred adult in the form. If you assess that the adult is at risk of immediate harm, you need to also alert appropriate emergency or other services to address that risk.
What do I do if the concern arises out of office hours?
If you need support from Adult Social Care to manage an immediate risk, please phone the Out of Hours team on 0300 555 1373. Otherwise please refer in the usual way through the Adult Contact Centre email.
The Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board has created this short video about identifying and reporting abuse concerns:
There are lots of charities and services around Southampton that can help protect adults at risk and you can find them in our directory of support services.
