Stopping adult abuse – it’s everyone’s responsibility

Adult abuse is everyone’s business and this Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week (9-13 October), residents of Kent and Medway are urged to ‘See It, Report It, Stop It’.

Following our multi-agency reviews of cases, which help organisations to learn lessons and improve practice, we have particularly highlighted issues relating to neglect and self-neglect and so have agreed that our theme for this year’s campaign is “Respect not Neglect”.

Abuse comes in many forms and may include physical, psychological, financial or material, such as consumer scams, sexual abuse, neglect, modern slavery, self-neglect, hate crimes and discrimination, and domestic violence.

The term self-neglect covers behaviours that in different ways manifest unwillingness or inability to care for oneself and/or one’s environment.

Last year, more than 6,000 people did speak up across Kent and Medway and reported their concerns and 1477 of those related to neglect and acts of omission.

The best weapon against abuse is talking about it and anyone with concerns about a loved one, colleague, friend, neighbour or themselves needs to tell us about it.

Agencies across Kent and Medway, including: Kent County Council, Medway Council, NHS and Health organisations, district councils, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Kent Police, care providers, housing associations, national probation services and the voluntary sector, are raising awareness this week about different forms of abuse and how to recognise and stop it.

Independent Chair of the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board, Deborah Stuart-Angus, said: “I am very proud to announce our annual Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week.

“I would like to personally thank all those who will make this as successful as it was last year.  I sincerely hope this campaign contributes to further raising public awareness of abuse and neglect across Kent and Medway and how safeguarding is everybody’s business.”

Kent and Medway’s multi-agency Safeguarding Adults Board brings together agencies across the County to keep adults safe from harm and protect their rights.

During Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week, events are being held to raise awareness of the different types of abuse that some people of Kent and Medway suffer daily and how they, or their loved ones, can seek the help and advice they need to keep them safe and well.

To report abuse, contact Kent County Council on 03000 416161 or Medway Council on 01634 334466 or if someone is in immediate risk, dial 999.

Support will be provided by specially trained people to victims of abuse and those who report it.

During the campaign a number of information stands and one-stop-shops will be taking place across Kent and Medway, including:

• Monday 9 October – Bluewater Community Safety Shop (between 10 – 3)
• Tuesday 10 October – Tesco in Whitfield, Dover (between 10 – 3)
• Wednesday 11 October  – ASDA, Sittingbourne ASDA (between 10 and 3)
• Thursday 12 October  –  public information stall at Pentagon Centre, Chatham
• Friday 13 October  –  public information stall at Drill Hall Library, University of Kent Medway Campus

The aim of the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board is to safeguard adults at risk of harm or abuse in Kent and Medway through a multi-agency approach ensuring their safety, independence and wellbeing.

The partners involved in this work include KCC, Medway Council, NHS and Health agencies, Kent Police and Kent Fire & Rescue Service.

For information on the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board, visit http://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/information-for-professionals/adult-protection/kent-and-medway-safeguarding-adults-board

Out of normal office hours for Kent and Medway, call 03000 419191

For more information in Kent, visit www.kent.gov.uk/adultprotection 

For more information in Medway, visit www.medway.gov.uk/abuse 

For information about hoarding, visit www.helpforhoarders.co.uk 

To report a rogue trader or a scam, contact Citizen Advice consumer service (CACS) helpline 03454 040506 who will then contact your local Trading Standards.

If anyone knows or suspects a crime, contact the police on 101, or if a crime is taking place, call 999.