Abuse Against a Vulnerable Adult
Bedfordshire Police works closely with
partner agencies in the prevention and protection from abuse of
vulnerable adults. We take these incidents very seriously and
are committed to catching and prosecuting those that abuse
vulnerable adults.
The local authority will co-ordinate investigations into the
abuse and Bedfordshire Police is responsible for investigating
criminal offences with experienced, specialist trained, dedicated
officers.
Who is a Vulnerable Adult?
A vulnerable adult is described as a person aged 18 years or
over, who is in receipt of or may be in need of community care
services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness
and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or
unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or
exploitation.
What Type of Abuse Takes Place?
Physical - any deliberate act to cause physical
harm including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of
medication or restraint.
Financial or Material - theft, fraud,
exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or
inheritance or financial transactions, or misusing property,
possessions and benefits.
Sexual - involvement in a sexual act to which
the vulnerable person has not consented, or to which he or she
could not consent or was pressured into consenting.
Neglect and Acts of Omission - ignoring medical
or physical care needs and withholding the necessities of life such
as nutrition, heating and medication.
Psychological - emotional abuse, threats to
harm or abandon the person, depriving them of contact, humiliating,
blaming, controlling, intimidating, coercing or harassing them,
verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawing services and support
networks.
Discriminatory – based on cultural, sexual,
age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Institutional - Mistreatment or abuse by an
organisation or the individuals within it.
Domestic - any incident of threatening
behaviour, violence or abuse (including any of the above) occurring
between adults who are or have been in an intimate relationship or
are family members – regardless of gender or sexuality.
Where Does the Abuse Take Place?
Abuse can occur anywhere including:
- Own home
- A carers home
- Day care
- Residential care
- Nursing home
- Hospital
Who Abuses?
An abuser is usually known to the person being abused and can
include:
- Partner, child, relative
- Friend/neighbour
- Paid/volunteer worker
- Health/social worker or other professional
What to do if you or someone you know is being
abused
In an emergency call 999.
In a non emergency contact 101 and tell
the operator about the suspected abuse who will forward the details
to the relevant department, which will be in contact.
To report the abuse confidentially online fill out
this form