Safeguarding

What is safeguarding?

  • Safeguarding is about keeping people safe from harm and abuse. Safeguarding is everyone's business. It helps protect children and adults who may not be able to protect themselves. Everyone has the right to feel safe and be treated with care and respect. This page explains safeguarding. It covers its meaning, how it works, and what to do if you're worried about someone's safety. Our vision for Harrow is to make it a place where all people are safe and free from harm and abuse.

The care journey: safeguarding

Harm or abuse is when someone hurts you, treats you badly, or makes you feel scared. It can happen to anyone and is never okay. Reporting your concerns may help protect an adult at risk from further abuse. It could ultimately save a life. You can report a concern about abuse online.

There are different types of abuse, victims, and abusers. If you think you or someone you know is being abused, it is important to tell someone you trust. You can view this information in another language.

Examples of types of abuse

There are different types of abuse. Some examples include:

  • Physical abuse. Where physical acts of violence, or threats are used against a person. This may include: hitting, slapping, and pushing. It may also include a misuse of medication or restraint. It may also include inappropriate physical sanctions. 
  • Organisational abuse. When someone faces mistreatment from poor practices or care in a care setting. This also includes unsafe handling, and the covering up of incidents.
  • Sexual abuse. This includes abusive sexual behaviour towards others. It covers many actions, such as rape, sexual assault, and harassment. It also includes inappropriate looking or touching. Forcing someone to watch pornography or do sexual acts without their consent. Sharing sexual images without permission. 
  • Modern slavery. Slavery occurs when people are controlled or exploited by others. They usually cannot escape their situation. There are eight main types of modern slavery:
    • Forced labour
    • Debt bondage
    • Prostitution
    • Domestic servitude
    • Criminal exploitation
    • Child exploitation
    • Forced marriage
    • Organ harvesting
  • Emotional or Psychological abuse. Using words and actions often to manipulate, scare, or hurt someone. This can include:
    • threats of harm
    • abandonment
    • humiliation
    • blaming
    • controlling
    • intimidation
    • isolation
    • unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of support. 
  • Financial or material abuse. This is when a person takes or misuses another person's money or things for their own benefit. This includes:
    • theft
    • fraud
    • internet scams
    • Coercion related to an adult's finances.
    • It also includes the wrong use or theft of property, belongings, or benefits. 
  • Domestic abuse. This includes actions or patterns that are violent or controlling. It could also be acts that are threatening or degrading to a close partner or family member. This can include:
    • Psychological abuse
    • Physical abuse
    • Sexual abuse
    • Financial abuse
    • Emotional abuse
    • 'Honour'-based violence.
  • Neglect or acts of omission. This is when someone doesn't do something, which might lead to harm. This can include ignoring medical, emotional, or physical care needs. It also means not providing access to health, care, and education services.
  • Self-neglect. This means not taking care of oneself so much that it could harm health and safety. This includes many behaviours. These are things like neglecting personal hygiene, health and also hoarding. 
  • Discriminatory abuse. This is where abuse is targeted towards someone because of their:
    • age
    • gender
    • sexuality
    • disability
    • religion, language, or culture
    • race or ethnic origin.

Examples of victims of abuse

Some people may not recognise that they are being abused. Adults most at risk of abuse are individuals aged 18 years and over who may be unable to:

  • protect themselves against abuse, harm, or exploitation. 
  • speak out for themselves. 
  • take care of themselves. 

It is important to note that abuse can:

  • consist of a single act or repeated acts. 
  • be intentional, unintentional, or due to a lack of knowledge. 
  • be an act of neglect, an omission, or a failure to act. 
  • cause harm temporarily or over a period of time. 
  • occur in any relationship. 
  • be perpetrated by anyone, alone or as part of a group. 
  • often constitute a crime, i.e. physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. 
  • Adults living with other family members who depend on them. 

Examples of types of abusers

Abuse can occur anywhere and be perpetrated by anyone. Adults at risk of abuse are sometimes abused by strangers. More often, they are abused by someone known to them or in a position of trust. This may include:

  • A partner, relative, friend, or child. 
  • A neighbour or someone from the community network. 
  • A paid carer or a volunteer. 
  • A health, social care worker or other professional. 
  • Another vulnerable adult. 
  • A non-carer or a stranger. 
  • A friend or family member with a history of violent behaviour. They might have an alcohol problem or mental illness. 

Patterns of abuse

  • Serial abuse. Where the abuser looks for or 'grooms' vulnerable people. Sexual abuse often falls into this pattern, as do some forms of financial abuse. 
  • Long-term abuse. In an ongoing family relationship. Such as domestic violence between partners. 
  • Opportunistic abuse. Such as theft occurring because money or goods have been left around. 
  • Situational abuse. Where pressures have built up in coping with a person's difficult behaviour.

Report concerns of abuse

If you think a vulnerable person is at immediate risk of harm, call 999. For everything else, you can contact our Safeguarding Adults team (SAT). You can contact us if you are concerned about:

  • The safety or well-being of an adult in Harrow
  • An adult in Harrow who has suffered abuse or neglect

Refer an adult for safeguarding

 

You can also report concerns of abuse by:

Read guidance and support in other languages