We all have responsible for the protection of the vulnerable and reporting any concerns we may have.

If you are ever worried or concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a vulnerable adult, older person or child please contact Social Care Direct. You do not have to give your name you can make an anonymous call.

A vulnerable adult depends on other people for at least some of their care and support.

We all need to know:-
- what adult abuse is and
- what our role is in protecting people

Abuse refers to various forms of force, threats and fraud.
The main forms of abuse are:-

- Physical Abuse - This is violence, which causes pain or injury
- Sexual Abuse - This is unwanted sexual or touching behaviour without consent
- Psychological abuse - This is anything said or writteb which causes emotional distress or anxiety
- Neglect and acts of omission - This is the failure to provide care or attention to the point where a person's health or safety is affected
- Discriminatory Abuse - This is unfair treatment because of a person's race, gender, sexual choice, religion or disability 
- Financial or Material Abuse - The theft or misuse of a person's property, money, possessions or benefits.

An abuser can be anybody.