Types of abuse 

Abuse is any behaviour towards a person that causes him or her harm, endangers life, or violates their rights including:

• Physical e.g. shaking or slapping someone
• Sexual e.g. any sexual act to which the person has not consented
• Psychological e.g. threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, intimidation, verbal abuse
• Financial e.g. stealing someone's money or denying them access to their money or possessions
• Neglect e.g. ignoring someone's medical or care needs, withholding food
• Discriminatory e.g. racist or sexist abuse and harassment, this can include hate crime

Download the documents below to read about bullying, abuse and what to do if you are being bullied.

Where abuse can happen

People can be abused in: 

• Their own home
• Residential and nursing homes
• Day centres
• Work
• Hospitals, police stations and other public places

Who could be an abuser

• A partner, child or relative, or other household member
• A friend or neighbour
• A volunteer worker
• A health or social worker
• A member of staff in a residential or nursing home or sheltered housing scheme
• Another vulnerable adult
• Anyone else who has contact with a vulnerable adult