Define an Adult at risk?
Unable to safeguard their own well-being, property, rights or other interests
At risk of harm
AND because affected by a disability, mental disorder, illness or other infirmity are more vulnerable to harm than other adults
List some common risk factors for abuse?
LAck of mental capacity Age PHysically dependant on others H/o abuse Low self esteem -ve experiences disclosing abuse in the past Social isolation Lacking access to health/social care
What are the 6 pillars of safeguarding vulnerable adults?
Empowerment Protection Prevention Proportionality Partnership Accountability
Heres some tips for managing the conversation with the abusee:
- Ensure the alleged abuser is absent
- May be helpful to have a trusted individual with them
- provide support for them to express themselves e.g. an interpreter
- Be clear what will happen to the info they disclose
- Establish the facts
- Acknowledge the impact on the victim
Who should report to?
The local safeguarding service
If theres significant short term risk of harm call the police
What are some of the common consequences of child abuse?
- Physical injury
- Feeling’s of worthlessness or guilt
- Trouble regulating emotions
- Substance abuse
- Lack of trust/relationship issues
It’s important to undestand that in many cases abuse is not intentional, when might this be?
- Parent was a victim of abuse/neglect and doesn’t know any better
- Parent genuinely believes they are just disciplining their kid
- Parent is unable to care for the child leading to neglect, due to physical or mental illness as well as substance abuse
What might indicate a parent’s disciplining of their child is too far?
1) Its unpredictable - the child is walking on eggshells, unsure what will set the parent off
2) Parent lashes out in anger instead of trying to educate their child
3) Parent intentionally uses fear to keep their child in line
Children who are victims of sexual abuse experience a lot of shame and guilt. What are the consequences of this?
- Self loathing, relationship and sexual problems as they age
- Makes it very hard for kids to come forward
Think of some warning behaviors that might indicate emotional abuse of a child?
- Excessively afraid of doing something wrong
- Extreme behavior (e.g. totally compliant or overly aggressive)
- Not attached to caregiver
- Inappropriately adult or infantile
Think what signs might make you worried a child is experiencing physical abuse?
- Frequent injuries
- Patterened injuries
- Always watchful & on edge
- Shys from ouch and flinches at sudden movements
- Doesn’t want to go home
- Suspicious clothing (E.g. long sleeves on hot days)
What signs might make you think a child is being neglected?
- Bad hygiene
- Ill fitting, dirty or innapropriate clothing
- Untreated illness/injury
- Frequently unsupervised
- Missing school
What signs in the parent would make you think they might be at risk of abusing their child (intentionally or not):
1) Substance abuse
2) Domestic violence
3) Untreated mental illness
4) Lack of parenting skills (teens, victims of abuse etc)
5) Stress/lack of support e.g. single working parents
Heres some tips for reporting suspected abuse:
- Be as specific as possible about what you observed
- Keep full written records
- Continue reporting if you see more
- It’s not on you to prove it
- Discuss your concerns with colleagues and the GP
