Give feedback on this pageThis information is intended to help anyone who is concerned about the abuse of a vulnerable adult or who maybe being abused themselves.
This describes, what abuse is, what to do if you suspect abuse has taken place and how your concerns will be dealt with.
It describes how agencies across North Wales are working together to tackle abuse and to ensure that any reports of abuse are taken seriously and dealt with by the right people.
Who is a Vulnerable Adult?
Vulnerable adult are people over the age of 18 who, because of disability, age, or illness are ubale to protect themselves from harm or from being exploited.
What is Abuse?
There are a number of ways in which a vulnerable adult may be mistreated, harmed or distressed. Some ways are clearly abuse other are less obvious.
Physical Abuse - Including hitting, slapping, over or misuse of medication, undue restraint or inappropriate sanctions.
Sexual Abuse - Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not or could not consent and/or was put under pressure to consent.
Psychological Abuse - Including threats of harm or being abandoned, humiliation, verbal or racial abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or support.
Financial or Material Abuse - Including theft fraud, pressure around wills, property or inheritance misuse or dishonestly taking benefits.
Neglect - Including failure to access medical care or services, not caring about risks, not giving prescribed medication, poor nutrition or lack of heating.
Racially Motivated Abuse - Can take any of the above forms.
Stranger Abuse - A vulnerable adult may be abused by someone who they do not know, such as a stranger, a member of the public or a person who deliberately targets vulnerable people in order to exploit them.
Where Does Abuse happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere including:
- Your own home
- Hospitals
- Care Homes
- Day centres
- Colleges
- Supported Housing
- At work
- Or even in public.
Who are Abusers?
Although the person responsible for the abuse is often known to the vulnerable adult, anyone can be an abuser including:
- A Volunteer
- A Health or Social Care Worker
- A relative, friend or neighbour
- Another resident or service user
- An occasional visitor or someone providing a service
- A person who deliberately exploits vulnerable people.
What if I suspect abuse or am being abused myself?
You can contact your local social services department or you can contact the Police directly if you think that a crime has been committed. We will then make sure that the right people investigate the abuse and make sure the vulnerable adult is safe.
If you are not able to report your concerns yourself, you can ask a trusted person to do this for you. This could be a health professional such as your GP or nurse, a family member, a neighbour etc.
Whether you contact social services or any of the other agencies, your concerns will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.
What Happens Next?
When you contact your local social services department (see contact numbers at the end) or any of the agencies you will be asked to give the name and address of the vulnerable adult. You will be asked to describe the concerns you have. You will also be asked if the vulnerable adult knows if you are making contact.
A qualified, experienced professional, or a team of professionals, will investigate the concerns, taking into account the wishes and choice of the vulnerable adult. They will seek to ensure that the vulnerable adult is protected and that she/he receives any medical or other care they may require.
You will be informed in writing what action has been taken about your concern.
Contact Numbers:
Contact our First Contact Team - 01824 712800
Out of Hours - 0845 05 33 116
Police - 01492 511810 / 517171
In an Emergency contact 999
This information is available in large print; in Braille and on audiotape from Social Services on request.
(pdf, 579.35 KB) Protection of Vulnerable Adults: Denbighshire County Council are committed to protecting vulnerable adults and are happy to follow the North Wales Policy and Procedure for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults. This link will take you straight into the policy and gives guidance on what constitutes abuse and how to deal with it, and how local partners work together.