Abuse is "A violation of an individual's human and civil rights by another person or persons" it is often a criminal offense and can take many forms, including:

• Physical Abuse - the use of force which results in pain, injury and has a negative impact on an individual's physical health. This can include pushing, slapping, unnecessary restraint or forcing someone to do something against their will.


• Sexual Abuse - involving someone in a sexual activity which they do not want or can't understand. Examples include sexual assault, indecent exposure, inappropriate touching or sexual harassment.


• Psychological Abuse - purposefully making another person suffer emotionally or mentally. This can include swearing, bullying, humiliating someone or scaring them.


• Financial Abuse -this is using someone's property, income savings or belongings without their permission. This includes stealing money or belongings, forcing someone to change their will or forcing someone to sign a contract they do not understand.


• Neglect - repeatedly refusing to help someone with their daily living and health and safety needs. Neglect can include not providing personal care, not cleaning the persons home so they live in unhygienic conditions and not looking after their medical needs.


• Discrimination - treating someone unfairly for example because of their race, religion, sex, age sexuality or disability. Discrimination is illegal and people who are discriminated against may be more at risk from abuse.


• Institutional Abuse - the most common form of institutional abuse is an adult at risk who lives in or regularly visits an institution for example a care home or hospital. It can include repeatedly giving poor care and putting the needs of the institution before the needs of the person. Institutional abuse also includes discouraging individuals from involving their family with their care, very strict management, too few staff or staff who are poorly trained or poorly supervised.

Enfield Disability Action is currently working on developing some materials to help disabled people and carers understand more about abuse and hate crime. In the meantime, you may find the following resources helpful:

• For information on adult abuse, click here. To make a report click here or call 020 8379 5212


• For information on safeguarding children, click here or call 020 8379 2483 to report it


• For information on hate crime, click here or call 020 8379 4612 to report it