Safeguarding campaign in Buckinghamshire to prevent adult abuse
The council is urging residents to look out for each other
People in Buckinghamshire are being urged to look out for signs of abuse in the community as part of the council’s 'see something, say something, do something' campaign.
The message is to report anything that might seem abnormal and keep an extra eye out for any changes in someone's behaviour that would suggest something is not right, as well as searching for obvious signs like injuries.
The different forms of abuse
Abuse can take many forms, with common types being more than just physical; it can also encompass general neglect, as well as financial, mental or psychological abuse.
In the last year, more than 12,000 adult abuse cases have been reported, but the council have said they are worried that this is just the "tip-of-the-iceberg" and want more people to be on the lookout for abuse cases.
9 out of 10 reports were made by professionals such as doctors and care providers, but the council is keen to push the message that everyone living in Buckinghamshire has a responsibility to look out for those around them.
A spotlight is also being shone on vulnerable people who are often at the heart of abuse cases; and adults who have a disability, mental illness or long-term health condition are often the ones targeted the most, so it may be necessary for the public to be aware of their risk and help them take action by reporting any incidents they become aware of.
Councillor Angela Macpherson is the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at Buckinghamshire Council, and is hoping the campaign spreads an important message.
She said:
"It may be that there is more prevalence than we thought, so it's very important that residents see protecting people and enabling people to live safely and not suffer abuse and neglect; that everyone sees it as part of their business.
"I think that's what we're really trying to do.
"It's difficult to say if the situation is getting worse because there are a lot of unknowns."
She also noted that there are lots of subtle signs that can help to identify cases where someone is being mistreated.
She added:
"There are things like emotional and sexual abuse... where the signs can be tiny.
"So I think what we're trying to do is encourage people if they feel uncomfortable or something's changed, where a neighbour or somebody they know well.
"It may be a client of theirs if they're a hairdresser or somebody going round to the house.
"If they've just spotted behavioural changes like the way people are acting and reacting; that is grounds enough if they're concerned about that person's wellbeing to report it to the council."