Identifying types of abuse and neglect

Understand the term abuse as the maltreatment of a person, which may involve inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm.
Identify physical abuse as deliberate acts causing injury or physical trauma, such as hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, or inappropriate restraint.
Define sexual abuse as any unwanted sexual activity, exploiting or coercing someone into partaking in sexual acts without their informed consent.
Recognise financial abuse as the illegal or unauthorised use of a person’s property, money, pension book or other valuables (including changing the person’s will to name the abuser as heir).
Define psychological abuse as actions meant to invoke fear or mental suffering, including threats, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion or harassment.
Understand discriminatory abuse as maltreatment based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, cultural background or other forms of unjust or unfair behaviour.
Appreciate that neglect and acts of omission incorporate ignoring physical or medical care needs, withholding adequate nutrition, or failing to provide access to social care or educational services.
Identify institutional abuse as failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to vulnerable people.

Know that signs of physical abuse may include unexplained injuries, unusual injuries pattern, reluctance to seek help and withdrawal from social activities.
Understand signs of sexual abuse can involve changes in behaviour, unexplained pregnancies, reluctance to undress, inappropriate sexual behaviour and difficulty walking or sitting.
Recognise signs of financial abuse may include sudden changes in bank balances, unexplained transactions, changes in a will or financial documents, and missing personal belongings.
Identify signs of psychological abuse as changes in personality, becoming withdrawn, showing signs of fear, self-harming behaviours and low self-esteem.
Note that signs of discriminatory abuse can involve often demeaning comments, exclusion from usual activities, lack of respect, unresponsiveness to the affected individual.
Know that signs of neglect and acts of omission may include poor physical condition, malnutrition, untreated medical problems, and inappropriate clothing.
Understand that signs of institutional abuse can involve rushed or impersonal care, lack of individual care plans, and denied privacy, dignity or choice.