Keeping adults safe
It is every adult's right to live in a safe environment free
from abuse.
Types of abuse
Abuse can take many forms and may include:
- physical abuse,
- sexual abuse,
- financial abuse,
- psychological abuse,
- neglect or
- discriminatory abuse.
Abuse is a breach of an individual's rights and may be a single
act or happen repeatedly over a period of time. The abuse may be
deliberate but it may also happen as a result of poor care
practices or ignorance.
The vulnerable adult may be neglected, persuaded to agree to
something against their will or taken advantage of because they do
not fully understand the consequences of their choices or
actions.
Anyone may abuse but it is usually someone known to the
vulnerable adult and in many cases will constitute a criminal
offence. Abuse can happen anywhere, including your home, a
residential or nursing home, at hospital, day centre or in a public
place.
More information relating to adult protection is available in
our document library.
Emergency contacts
If someone is in immediate risk of harm contact the
emergency services in the first instance on 999.
Alternatively if you think a vulnerable individual is at
risk of harm you can contact:
Kent County Council
on 08458 247 100, or by using our
online form
- Medway Council
on 01634 333 111
- Kent and Medway out of hours service
on 08457 626777.
Information for professionals
Information specifically for social care staff and volunteers
from agencies and services in Kent and Medway is in our information
for professionals section.