Who are vulnerable adults?
Many adults, because of illness or disability, may be unable to protect themselves from abuse. Vulnerable adults may be certain older people, people with learning disabilities, physically disabled people, people with mental ill-health or those with a short or long term illness.
What is abuse?
Abuse can be defined in many ways however the terms most commonly used are:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Neglect
- Sexual
- Institutional
- Verbal
Who abuses and where does it happen?
Abuse happens in situations where one person in a relationship has more power than the other. In adult abuse cases this could be a vulnerable adult's paid or unpaid carer, a worker, relative, in fact almost anyone.
Research has shown that abuse occurs most commonly within people's own homes, however, it can occur in other places like care homes or health care settings.
How to get help and advice
If you think that a vulnerable adult is being abused, please ring 01926 412080. The adult social care teams can offer advice and support to the person and/or their carers and, where necessary, arrange appropriate services. Depending on the type of abuse you may wish to contact Warwickshire Police.
For further information, please visit the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults page.
