Leading the fight against      adult abuse

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What to do and who to contact?

A major point to remember - whether you are personally coping with abuse or whether you are concerned about the abuse of another - is that you are not alone.  Abusers very often exploit the fact that someone may be (or feel) isolated.  They can encourage, emphasise or create dependency in someone in order to exploit that feeling to their own advantage.  And, very often, they will rely on someone not disclosing, or the natural disbelief  that many people hold when considering elder abuse.

It is important therefore to protect yourself if you are an older person, and sometimes that can be very simple.  It is also important that neighbours, friends, families and practitioners are alert to the possibility of abuse - and are therefore ready to act on concerns or suspicions.

Too often abuse has continued because people spotted something that felt wrong, but took no action as they doubted their own concerns.  And sometimes the abuse has then continued for years longer.
Being alert to the possibility of abuse is sensible, without needlessly seeing it everywhere.  Being prepared to act is prudent.

This section will provide advice on what to do if you are 

• concerned for yourself, or 
  
  

• concerned for someone else, together with some
  
  

• helpful contacts

Sometimes it easier to identify and address abuse that is perpetrated by a paid worker, than a friend or a member of your own family.  You can still feel betrayed by their actions, and it can still hurt, but it often not the same as coming to terms with abuse that has been perpetrated by your son or your daughter.  For this reason we often draw parallels with the experiences and knowledge of domestic violence services, where someone can find it very difficult to accept that they are the victim of abuse, and can sometimes cannot bring themselves to recognise or accept the help that is available.

Family abuse can also be particularly difficult for older people within minority ethnic communities, where the stigma associated with publicly acknowledging such abuse can prevent disclosure or action from occurring.  

All of these factors can make it very difficult to  address elder abuse.

More Information:

What is elder abuse?

Why does it happen?

What are the signs?

What to do and who to contact

Concerned for yourself

Concerned for others

Helpful contacts