Council and democracy

Who may abuse?

Vulnerable adults may be abused by a wide range of people including relatives and family members, professional staff, paid care workers, volunteers, other service users, neighbours, friends and associates, people who deliberately exploit vulnerable people, and strangers.

In what circumstances may abuse occur?

Abuse can take place in any context. It may occur when a vulnerable adult lives alone or with a relative; it may also occur within nursing, residential or day care settings, in hospitals, custodial situations, support services into people's own homes, and other places previously assumed safe, or in public places.

What should be done to prevent abuse?

Any organisation or group of people which offers services to vulnerable people should think through how their service provision might be open to abuse.

What could their staff do which might amount to abuse?

How might some vulnerable people abuse fellow vulnerable people? How might otherwise caring support staff be tempted to abuse those in their care? How might relatives and friends abuse vulnerable people? These are questions that need to be addressed and local prevention strategies produced.

What should you do if you suspect or hear of alleged abuse?

See the pdf document Guidelines for professionals reporting alleged or suspected serious crimes to the police for more information.