This page is designed to answer the following questions:
- 10.1c List the main types of abuse (Care Certificate, Standard 10: Safeguarding adults)
- 10.1g List the possible indicators of abuse (Care Certificate, Standard 10: Safeguarding adults)
- 1.3 Define the following terms: • Physical abuse • Domestic abuse • Sexual abuse • Emotional/psychological abuse • Financial/material abuse • Modern slavery • Discriminatory abuse • Institutional/organisational abuse • Self-neglect • Neglect by others (Level 2 Diploma in Care, Safeguarding and protection in care settings)
- 2.1 Identify the signs and/or symptoms associated with each of the following types of abuse: • Physical abuse • Domestic abuse • Sexual abuse • Emotional/psychological abuse • Financial/material abuse • Modern slavery • Discriminatory abuse • Institutional/organisational abuse • Self-neglect • Neglect by others (Level 2 Diploma in Care, Safeguarding and protection in care settings)
- 1.3 Define the following terms: • Physical abuse • Domestic abuse • Sexual abuse • Emotional/psychological abuse • Financial/material abuse • Modern slavery • Discriminatory abuse • Institutional/organisational abuse • Self-neglect • Neglect by others (Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, Safeguarding and protection in care settings)
- 2.1 Identify the signs and/or symptoms associated with each of the following types of abuse: • Physical abuse • Domestic abuse • Sexual abuse • Emotional/psychological abuse • Financial/material abuse • Modern slavery • Discriminatory abuse • Institutional/organisational abuse • Self-neglect • Neglect by others (Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, Safeguarding and protection in care settings)
- 2.1 Describe signs and symptoms associated with the following types of abuse: a. physical abuse, b. sexual abuse, c. emotional / psychological abuse, d. financial abuse, e. institutional abuse, f. self-neglect, g. neglect by others, h. discriminatory abuse (Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care, Understand Safeguarding and Protection in Health and Social Care Settings)
NOTE: This page has been quality assured for 2023 as per our Quality Assurance policy.
The Care Act 2014 identifies 10 types of abuse or neglect.
It is important that you understand what they are and the associated signs that may indicate they are occurring so that you can report suspicions of abuse using the appropriate channels.
The table below describes the main types of abuse along with their associated signs and/or symptoms:
| Type of abuse | Definition | Signs/symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Physical abuse | Physical harm to an individual's body from, for example, hitting, restrictive practices and medication | Untreated or unexplained injuries including cut, bruises, burns, bites, hair loss etc. |
| Domestic abuse | Threats, violence and abuse between individuals that are family members or in an intimate relationship. | Domestic abuse can be recognised by the signs of one or more of the other types of abuse or neglect. |
| Sexual abuse | Sexual relationships or activities that an individual does not or cannot consent to. | Pain or bruising around the inner thigh, anal or breast areas. Pain/discomfort when walking or sitting. Bloodstained underwear. Unexplained STIs/pregnancy |
| Emotional/psychological abuse | Threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour, blaming, verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation. | Anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, poor self esteem and self confidence |
| Financial/material abuse | Use of an individual's money or possessions without permission. Includes theft, fraud, scamming, coercion, self-serving involvement in an individual's financial affairs. | Not having enough money for bills or food. Expenditure appearing unusually high. Missing possessions or monies. Poor living conditions. |
| Modern slavery | Individuals being forced into a life of slavery, human trafficking, domestic servitude or forced labour. | Signs of other abuse (e.g. physical, psychological etc.) Unable or unwilling to interact with others. Seemingly always in the company of others. Appearing to not know their surroundings. Having no (or very few) personal possessions. |
| Discriminatory abuse | Individuals being treated differently due to personal traits such as age, gender, race, sexual orientation etc. | Verbal abuse or harassment Disrespect Lack of person centred approaches Exclusion |
| Institutional/organisational abuse | When an organisation's needs are put above an individual's needs e.g. telling an individual that they have to go to bed at a certain time | Inflexibility Poor staff knowledge and training Non person-centred approaches Poor standards |
| Self-neglect | An individual being unable to see to their own basic needs, such as nutrition or hygiene | Malnutrition Dehydration Dirty clothes/bedding Poor hygiene Taking medication incorrectly Bedsores |
| Neglect by others | People responsible for an individual not seeing to their basic needs such as nutrition or hygiene either deliberately or inadvertently. | Malnutrition Dehydration Dirty clothes/bedding Poor hygiene Taking medication incorrectly Bedsores |
Some individuals are unable to protect themselves from abuse, for example, someone with a learning disability may not have the capacity to understand that they are being abused, so it is vital that others, such as family or support staff are there to look out for their well-being. It is also important that individuals are educated about abuse and their rights so they are able to protect themselves.
In addition, there are many factors that make an individual more vulnerable to abuse. Again, reduced mental capacity can lead to an individual being taken advantage of, as can low self-esteem, depression and other mental illnesses such as paranoid schizophrenia. Some factors can also be directly related to the abuser, for example, if they have been abused themselves, if they are stressed out with their own personal problems or if they have a lack of training. And, of course, if an individual is isolated and has no one to protect them, they are also much more susceptible to being abused.
Example question and answer
List some of the types, signs and symptoms of abuse and explain why some individuals are more vulnerable to abuse
It is important to understand the different types of abuse so that you can spot the signs that it may be taking place and protect an individual from further abuse. The table below explains types of abuse and their symptoms.
| Type | Definition | Signs/symptoms |
| Physical abuse | Physical abuse occurs when an abuser makes physical contact with an individual with the intention of causing physical pain or injury. | Bruises, burns, fractures, lacerations, sores, cowering & flinching |
| Sexual abuse | Sexual abuse is when an abuser forces or tricks an individual into a non-consensual sexual behaviour. Although this can include penetration, it doesn’t have to – touching and showing pornography material are also classed as sexual abuse. | Genital & anal infections and bleeding, torn, soiled or bloodied underwear, change in character |
| Emotional/psychological abuse | Emotional abuse is when an abuser subjects an individual to behaviours that can result in psychological trauma. Verbal aggression, bullying and domination are examples of emotional abuse. | Depression, anxiety, isolation, fear, agitation, self-mutilation, low self-esteem & self-confidence. |
| Financial abuse | Financial abuse is when an abuser attempts to steal from or defraud an individual. This can extend to tricking an individual into giving away money or property and preventing an individual from making their own financial decisions. | Missing money/property, unexplained bank withdrawals, isolation from friends/family, fear, anxiety, embarrassment. |
| Institutional abuse | Institutional abuse occurs when the convenience of an institution and its staff are put before the needs and lifestyles of an individual. This can include over-medication, unreasonable restrictions of activity, lack of privacy etc. | Staff entering service users rooms without knocking, lack of food, clothing & possessions, lack of flexibility with bedtimes, mealtimes etc., poorly trained & unsupervised staff, poorly managed setting |
| Self-neglect | Self-neglect is when an individual does not attend to their basic needs, such as washing, eating and clothing. | Poor personal hygiene, malnutrition, inappropriate or dirty clothing, not taking medication. |
| Neglect by others | Neglect occurs when a carer either deliberately or unintentionally fails to provide adequate care to an individual. | Bedsores, inappropriate or dirty clothing, hunger, unwashed. |
NOTE: The signs and symptoms above are by no means exhaustive and will vary between individuals.