What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting children, young people and adults from abuse, risk of abuse, exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect. Everyone has the right to live a life free from abuse.
Key points to remember:
- Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Abuse is always wrong and can happen anywhere, at any time.
- It can be caused by anyone: a partner, friend, neighbour, carer, someone in a position of trust or a stranger.
You may be more at risk if you:
- Are older and frail.
- Are dependent on alcohol or substances.
- Have a learning disability, physical or sensory impairment.
- Have mental health problems.
- Have a language barrier.
- Are under the age of 18.
What is abuse and neglect?
To abuse someone is to treat them badly. To neglect someone is to fail to care for them. Abuse or neglect can be:
- A single act or repeated acts over time.
- Intentional or accidental.
- A crime.
Types of abuse
- Child abuse: Signs include unexplained behaviour changes, withdrawal, poor school attendance, inappropriate clothing, or changes in adult behaviour.
- Discriminatory abuse: Harassment or slurs based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Can include hate crime.
- Domestic abuse: Abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member. Includes physical, sexual, financial and psychological abuse.
- Emotional/psychological abuse: Threats, isolation, intimidation, harassment, verbal abuse, controlling behaviour.
- Financial abuse: Stealing money or possessions, fraud, scams.
- Modern slavery: Human trafficking, domestic servitude, restrictions on freedom.
- Neglect: Failure to provide care, food, heating, medication, hygiene.
- Organisational abuse: Poor practice or neglect in care homes or hospitals.
- Physical abuse: Assault, hitting, kicking, burning, misuse of medication.
- Self-neglect: Neglecting personal hygiene, health or surroundings.
- Sexual abuse/exploitation: Rape, harassment, inappropriate touching, sexual acts without consent.
What can abuse look like?
- Badly maintained property.
- Poor living conditions.
- Hoarding.
- No gas or electricity.
- Unauthorised persons staying in the property.
- Cuts and bruising.
- Unexplained expenditure.
- Health and safety risks.
- Being harassed.
Not all signs mean abuse – there could be other reasons. If you suspect something, talk to someone or report it.
How to report it
If you think you or someone you know is being abused, exploited or neglected, tell someone immediately. Reporting it may prevent harm.
You can report abuse to:
- The police.
- Your local authority safeguarding team.
- Health and social care professionals.
- Confidentially through My Riverside.
- Your housing officer or support worker.
- NSPCC (for child concerns).
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
If you cannot speak, tap the phone or cough. You will be put through to the Silent Solution system and asked to dial 55.
How we can support you
If you report abuse to us, we will:
- Listen and take your concerns seriously.
- Treat information confidentially.
- Ask what you would like to happen and keep you informed.
- Act if others are at risk.
Useful contacts
Emergency or statutory support
- Police: 999 (immediate danger), 101 (non-emergency).
- Social Services – Contact your local council
- Riverside:
England: 0345 111 0000
Scotland: 0345 112 6600
Domestic abuse support
For women
- Refuge – 0808 2000 247 | nationaldahelpline.org.uk
- Scottish Women’s Aid – 0800 027 1234 | womensaid.scot
For men
- Abused Men in Scotland – 03300 949 395 | abusedmeninscotland.org
- ManKind Initiative – 01823 334 244 | mankind.org.uk
- Respect Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327 | mensadviceline.org.uk
For older people
- Hourglass – 0808 808 8141 | wearehourglass.org
Sexual violence support
- Rape Crisis England – 0808 802 9999
- Rape Crisis Scotland – 08088 01 03 02
Exploitation and Modern Slavery
- Modern Slavery Helpline – 08000 121 700 | modernslaveryhelpline.org
Crime and victim support
- Victim Support England – 0808 16 89 111
- Victim Support Scotland – 0800 160 1985
Mental health and emotional support
Samaritans – 116 123 | samaritans.org
Child protection and child support
- NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 | nspcc.org.uk
- Childline – 0800 1111 | childline.org.uk