Adults can be at risk because of a:
- disability
- mental disorder
- Illness
- physical or mental infirmity
The signs of harm
Types of harm include : physical, psychological, financial, sexual harm, neglect and self-neglect.
Physical harm
This means hurting a person's body or stopping a person moving about.
Physical harm can be:
- hitting a person
- shaking a person
- locking a person up
Psychological harm
This means hurting a person's mind.
Psychological harm can be:
- upsetting a person's feelings
- making a person feel scared
- leaving a person alone for too long
Financial harm
This means stopping a person from having their money or things.
Financial harm can be:
- stealing or taking money from a person
- not letting someone use their money
- not letting someone use the things they own
Learn more about how to spot the signs of financial harm, examples of scams and abusive behaviour, and things you can do to protect yourself on our financial harm page.
Sexual harm
This means getting a person to do sexual things they don't want to do or don't understand.
Sexual harm can be:
- making a person have sex
- taking photos at private times
- making a person look at sex DVDs or photos
- getting a person to do sexual things for money or presents
Neglect (and acts of omission)
This means stopping a person getting the things they need to be healthy.
Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life such as nutrition, appropriate heating etc.
Types of self-neglect include:
- lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety
- neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings
- ability to avoid self-harm
- failure to seek help or access services to meet health and social care needs
- inability or unwillingness to manage one’s personal affairs
If you have seen something, you should say something. Watch our video on spotting the signs of harm - Vimeo.
Who can cause harm
Anyone. For example it could be a:
- member of staff in a health or care setting
- carer
- relative
- spouse or partner
- friend or neighbour
- volunteer
- stranger
What you can do if you’re concerned about someone
If you are worried that you or someone you know is being harmed, is suffering from neglect, or is being abused, it is important to tell someone. Everyone has a right to be safe.
Remember, the person who did this may be doing it to others too. Or it could be that the person who is being harmed or neglected may not be able to report it themselves. Even if it happened many years ago, it is still important to report it.
Report a concern about an adult - Dumfries and Galloway Council
If you want to find help for yourself
Do not hesitate to reach out - there’s a number of organisations that can help.