An adult at risk is anyone over the age of 18 years who:
- may need extra support or is unable to care for themselves
- or is unable to protect themselves from any kind of harm or injury due to their age, illness or disability.
An adult at risk may be:
- an older person
- someone with a visual or hearing impairment
- or someone with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental health problems.
Someone may also be an adult at risk if he or she is:
- a victim of domestic violence
- addicted to drugs, alcohol or other substances.
What do we mean by abuse?
Abuse is when someone who is unable to protect themselves is treated badly or is put at risk of harm. It may be a single incident, or could happen over a period of time.
Abuse is often intentional. However, someone may behave abusively without even realising it. Someone can be abused anywhere, including:
- in your own home
- at work, school or college
- at the hospital
- at a nursing home, residential home or day centre
- in public places.
Abuse may also occur over the telephone or on the internet, such as in chat rooms or email.