If there is an immediate risk to a child, young person, adult or yourself, please contact the Police on 999.
If you think you are being abused (or are concerned that someone you know is being abused) please tell us straight away.
Tell us by:
- Contacting your Neighbourhood Officer or any A2Dominion staff member.
- Calling us on 0800 432 0077
- Speaking to us on our Live Web Chat
We will treat your concerns with confidence, however, there may be times where we may have a legal responsibility to share information and report safeguarding concerns to statutory authorities.
What is abuse?
Abuse means a person is being deliberately hurt by someone else (or is hurting themselves), but not all abuse is physical, or visible. Abuse is not normal and never OK. There are various abusive behaviours which can include:
- Physical abuse
- Domestic violence
- Sexual abuse
- Financial or material abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Modern slavery
- Honour based violence
- Child exploitation
- Organisational abuse
- Radicalisation and extremism
Abuse can happen anywhere to anyone – in the workplace, on the street, in school, college, university, a hospital, residential or nursing home or a hospital. It can be:
- Something that happens once
- Something that happens repeatedly
- A deliberate act
- Something that was unintentional, perhaps due to lack of understanding
- A crime
Who might be abused?
Anyone can be a victim of abuse, but a vulnerable adult is someone at least 18 years old who:
- Has needs for care and support
- Is experiencing, or is at risk, of abuse or neglect, and
- As a result of their need for care and support is unable to protect him or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
Safeguarding children and child protection applies to all children up to the age of 18. Safeguarding children means:
- Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
- Preventing harm to children’s health or development
- Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
Who might abuse someone?
- A partner or relative Family member
- A friend or neighbour
- A paid or volunteer carer
- Other residents
- Someone in a position of trust
- A stranger
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is taking action to ensure and uphold everyone's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Through safeguarding we protect vulnerable adults and children from being mistreated, neglected or harmed by another person or themselves. Safeguarding ensures that people get the support they need to make the most of their lives and are protected from harm.
Who can I speak to?
