Everyone deserves to live free from abuse.

What can abuse or neglect look like?

Harm is not always visible, and it may happen once or over time. Concerns can include:

• Physical abuse, threats, intimidation or humiliation.
• Sexual abuse, harassment, assault or sexual activity without freely given consent.
• Financial exploitation, theft, coercion or misuse of someone's money or property.
• Psychological or emotional abuse, isolation or controlling behaviour.
• Neglect, unsafe care, withholding essential support or failing to meet care needs.
• Discriminatory abuse, domestic abuse, organisational abuse or self-neglect.

Disability, communication and autonomy

A person's disability or need for support does not remove their right to make choices, have relationships, express boundaries or be heard. Support should be tailored to the person rather than based on assumptions.

• Offer accessible information and enough time to communicate.
• Use the person's preferred communication method where possible.
• Ask what support they want and involve them in decisions.
• Do not assume that a communication difference means a person cannot decide.
• Follow relevant safeguarding procedures and consider advocacy where appropriate.

Power, trust and dependency

Abuse can be committed by a partner, relative, acquaintance, professional, carer, colleague or someone met online. A person may depend on the person causing harm for transport, personal care, money, housing, work or social contact.

That dependence can make it difficult to speak up or leave. Take concerns seriously without blaming the person or assuming that they can simply walk away.

Prevention and protection

• Promote choice, dignity, privacy and informed consent.
• Make reporting routes clear, accessible and confidential as far as possible.
• Take concerns seriously, record facts accurately and share information through appropriate channels.
• Do not promise absolute secrecy if information must be shared to protect someone.
• Follow your organisation's safeguarding policy and designated safeguarding lead process.

Understanding consent

Consent means a person freely agrees to a specific activity. Silence, fear, freezing, pressure or not resisting should not be treated as agreement. Consent can be withdrawn, and agreeing to one thing does not mean agreeing to something else.

• Pressure, threats, manipulation or intimidation undermine free choice.
• Being in a relationship or having consented previously does not mean consent is automatic.
• Someone who is asleep or unconscious cannot consent at that time.
• Communication and support should be accessible and respectful.

Sexual abuse can include

• Sexual touching or activity without consent.
• Rape and sexual assault.
• Sexual harassment, unwanted sexual comments or intimidation.
• Being pressured, threatened or coerced into sexual activity.
• Being made to view sexual material or witness sexual acts.
• Non-consensual recording, sharing or threats involving intimate images.
• Sexual exploitation, including where someone abuses a position of power or trust.

These are examples, not a complete list or a legal assessment of any individual case.

Grooming and manipulation

Grooming may involve building trust, giving gifts or special attention, testing boundaries, encouraging secrecy, isolating a person from support, or gradually normalising harmful behaviour. No single sign proves grooming, but a pattern that creates fear, secrecy or dependency deserves attention.

People may feel confused, attached to the person harming them, ashamed, frightened or worried they will not be believed. These reactions do not make the abuse their fault.

Sexual abuse and vulnerable adults

A person may face additional barriers to reporting abuse if they rely on another person for care, communication, transport, finances or access to the community. Others may wrongly dismiss their account or make decisions without involving them.

Take the person seriously, make communication accessible, respect their privacy and choices, and follow appropriate safeguarding procedures. Do not assume disability means a person cannot have relationships or make decisions.

Possible indicators

• Unexplained fear, distress, withdrawal or sudden changes in behaviour.
• Someone else controlling conversations, visits, money, devices or appointments.
• Unexplained injuries, unmet care needs or changes in access to support.
• Fear of a particular person or anxiety about being left alone with them.
• Sexualised threats, unwanted contact, coercive messages or unexplained financial transactions.
• Being isolated from trusted people or discouraged from seeking help.

Respond without making assumptions

• Speak privately if it is safe and appropriate to do so.
• Use open, non-judgemental language and allow time to respond.
• Do not assume a person is safe because they have not disclosed abuse.
• Do not assume a person is being abused based on disability or diagnosis alone.
• Record what you observed or were told, using the person's own words where possible.
• Pass concerns to the appropriate safeguarding team or authorities.

Examples of digital sexual harm

• Sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent.
• Pressuring someone to send sexual images or messages.
• Using fake profiles, impersonation or blackmail to exploit someone.
• Non-consensual sexualised editing or AI-generated intimate imagery.
• Monitoring a person's accounts, location or messages to control them.

Practical steps

• If safe, preserve messages, usernames, dates and URLs; do not forward intimate images.
• Report harmful content to the platform and seek specialist advice.
• Review account security and location-sharing settings if doing so will not increase risk.
• Do not pay or comply with threats without seeking advice.
• Contact police if you are threatened, exploited or believe a crime has occurred.

What you can say

• “Thank you for telling me.”
• “I’m sorry this has happened to you.”
• “This is not your fault.”
• “What would help you feel safer right now?”
• “I may need to share this with someone who can help keep you safe. I will explain what happens next.”

What to avoid

• Do not blame, shame or question why the person did not speak sooner.
• Do not ask repeated or leading questions or promise a particular outcome.
• Do not promise absolute confidentiality.
• Do not confront the alleged abuser or conduct your own investigation.
• Do not delay reporting because you are unsure whether the concern is serious enough.

Record concerns carefully

Follow your organisation's policy. Record the date, time, what you observed, what was said, who was present and what immediate action was taken. Distinguish direct observations from what another person told you. Keep records secure and share them only through appropriate channels.

Follow your safeguarding pathway

If you work or volunteer with an organisation, contact its designated safeguarding lead or follow its written procedure. If that person may be involved, or the response is unsafe or inadequate, use the alternative reporting route in the policy and contact the relevant local authority or police as appropriate.

Good practice for organisations

• Have a written safeguarding policy and named safeguarding lead.
• Explain conduct expectations, boundaries and reporting routes before activities begin.
• Make complaints accessible and provide a route outside the immediate team.
• Use appropriate safer recruitment, references, checks and role-specific training.
• Respect consent for photography, filming, interviews and publication.
• Provide reasonable adjustments and accessible ways to raise concerns.

Power, opportunity and professional boundaries

Offers of work, mentoring, exposure, payment or access to industry contacts should never be used to pressure someone into sexual activity, secrecy or personal favours. A person should be able to decline, ask questions or report concerns without being threatened with lost opportunities.

Organisations should respond to concerns fairly, protect people from retaliation and seek specialist advice when needed.

Person-centred and survivor-centred

Respect the person's voice, identity, privacy, communication needs and choices while taking safety concerns seriously.

Accessible and inclusive

Use plain language, clear navigation and accessible formats. Do not assume a person's needs, abilities or experiences.

Responsible and evidence-aware

Distinguish general information from legal advice, cite trusted sources and review material when guidance changes.

Not a substitute for action

Awareness matters, but it must be accompanied by appropriate reporting, safe practice, professional support and accountability.