Leading the fight against      adult abuse

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If you are worried about being abused

It is not easy sometimes to accept that you are being abused, and it can be even more difficult to tell someone else.  Sometimes this is because the person who is doing it is a close family member or a friend, and sometimes it is because you think people will laugh at you or ridicule you or it will affect how your community or friends think about you.  It is often for these sorts of reasons that abuse goes unchallenged.

A good place to start therefore is to ring our helpline if you can.  Our number will not appear on your telephone bill, and our staff and volunteer understand the difficulties you might face and the options you may be able to consider.  They will work things out with you, and you will never be asked to do anything that you feel unable to do.  We will always seek to respect your confidentiality, but there may be rare occasions when this is not possible (for example, if the abuse you are experiencing might affect other people too)

Things to think about...

If you feel that you might be at risk of abuse you should consider the following actions, which might help to reduce that risk.  Often abusers are only successful because they keep you quiet or stop others from finding out what is happening to you.  It is therefore wise to:

• Maintain contact with any friends or neighbours that you have known for a long time and who you are confident can be trusted;  
  
  

• Keep in contact with those friends and neighbours if you move to a new address.  If you cannot go to see them, try to write letters regularly telling them about your new life and what is happening to you.  
  
  

• Encourage friends to visit you at home and try to join a local group or club.  The more interaction you have with other people the less chance there will be for you to become isolated.
     
  

• Have regular medical or dental appointments.  Dentists and GP's are people who should be able to talk to you, or spot signs that you are being abused.   
  
  

• Make sure that people are aware that you know where you have put important documents or property, and always open and post your own mail.  If you have to rely on others to post your own mail then try to use more than one person.  Don't leave cash, jewellery, or valuable possessions lying about.  
  
  

• Talk to a lawyer about arrangements that you can make for any future possible disabilities or problems, and always get legal advice before making arrangements for someone to take care of you in exchange for your property, possessions, or money.  Don't allow anyone to keep from you the details of your finances or property management.
  
  

• Don't sign anything unless it has been checked by someone not involved and independent of the issue.  If someone asks you to sign a Power of Attorney, always get independent advice to make sure you understand what it means.  

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