What is abuse and neglect?

Abuse and neglect is when someone is caused harm by an individual or group.

This harm could be physical, psychological, financial, sexual, or emotional or take many other forms and can be deliberate or not intentional.

Unintentional abuse or neglect can arise through a number of situations, including pressure on a carer building up because of difficult behaviour from the cared for.

What to do if a child's at risk

Concerns or allegations against a professional or volunteer working with children should be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child abuse where a young person under the age of 18 is encouraged, trapped, forced or coerced into a sexual relationship or situation. If it's happening to you or someone close to you there is help and support out there.

Everybody can help adults to live free from harm and abuse. You play an important part in preventing and identifying neglect and abuse.

The Care Act 2014 sets out the safeguarding responsibilities of local services and shows some of the forms abuse or neglect can take. This is not a complete list and all cases must be considered individually.

Physical abuse

Includes assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate physical sanctions.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse. It also includes so-called 'honour' based violence.

Sexual exploitation

Involves exploitative situations, contexts, and relationships where adults at risk (or a third person or persons) receive 'something'. The 'something' can be:

• food
• accommodation
• drugs
• alcohol
• cigarettes
• affection
• gifts
• money

And as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. It affects men as well as women.

Sexual abuse

Includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment and inappropriate looking or touching. It also includes:

• sexual teasing or innuendo
• sexual photography
• subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts
• indecent exposure
• sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting

Psychological abuse

Includes emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, and controlling. It also includes intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation, or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.

Financial or material abuse

Includes theft, fraud, internet scamming, and coercion in relation to an adult's financial affairs or arrangements. It can be in connection with wills, property, inheritance, or financial transactions, or the misuse or mishandling of property, possessions, or benefits.

Modern slavery

An overarching term used to describe slavery and human trafficking. There are different types of Modern Slavery such as:

• forced labour
• forced criminal activity
• sexual exploitation
• domestic servitude
• child exploitation
• organ harvesting

Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude, and inhumane treatment. Victims can be trafficked to the UK from other countries or can be UK nationals. Modern slavery and human trafficking can be large-scale organised crime or one individual or a small group of individuals who have close contact with the victim. 

Discriminatory abuse

Includes forms of harassment, slurs, or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

Organisational abuse

Includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home. It can also relate to care provided in one's own home. This may range from one-off incidents to ongoing ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes, and practices within an organisation.

Neglect and acts of omission

Includes ignoring medical, emotional, or physical care needs, and failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services. It also includes the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition, and heating.

Self-neglect

Covers a wide range of behaviours including neglecting to care for one's personal hygiene, health, or surroundings, and includes behaviour such as hoarding.