Types of Abuse
Abuse can happen anywhere and can be carried out by anyone. This could be family, friends, neighbours, paid staff, carers or volunteers. It could also be other service users, tenants or strangers.
The Care and Support Statutory Guidance identifies ten types of abuse. Find out more about each type of abuse below.
Further information about each type of abuse or neglect, with guidance about when to raise a safeguarding concern to the local authority, is available in the 4LSAB multi-agency framework to support decision making in relation to adult safeguarding concerns.
Physical abuse can include:
- assault
- hitting
- slapping
- pushing
- misuse of medication
- restraint
- inappropriate physical sanctions
Domestic abuse includes the following types of abuse by a person who is ‘personally connected’ to the adult (eg. relative, partner, or former partner):
- psychological or emotional abuse
- physical or sexual abuse
- financial or economic abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- so called ‘honour’ based violence
Further information can be found on the Safer Portsmouth Partnership’s website.
Domestic Abuse support services in Portsmouth
Domestic Abuse Referral Pathway
This pathway helps professionals make referrals to services for domestic abuse:
Stop Domestic Abuse will:
- support all victims aged 16+ assessed as high and medium risk,
- deliver Up2U: Creating Healthy Relationships for anyone aged 16+ who admit to using abusive or unhealthy behaviours in their relationship and want to change
- provide refuge support
- support any young person aged 13 to 15 who are victims of intimate partner abuse. Any safeguarding referrals MUST continue to be sent to the MASH
- support children who have witnessed domestic abuse and
- provide group provision for victims
To refer please use the single point of contact by phoning 023 9206 5494 or email portsmouthreferral@stopdomesticabuse.uk or portsmouth.referral@stopdomesticabuse.cjsm.net. Further information can be found on their website.
Victim Care Service supports victims assessed at standard risk and can be contacted on 0808 1781641 or email on hiow.referrals@victimsupport.cjsm.net. Further information can be found on their website.
MARAC referrals for high risk victims should be emailed to the Police MARAC team on MARACsafeguarding@hampshire.police.uk. Please ensure the victim is aware of any MARAC referral however there is no need for their consent.
See also the One Minute Guide to MARAC.
Services for Perpetrators: The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Perpetrator Support Services dashboard has a wide list of support options for perpetrators of domestic abuse.
For advice, help & support out of hours or for specific needs:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline Freephone 24hr 0808 2000 247. Online support: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us
- Rape Crisis National Helpline 0808 802 9999 12.00 -14.30 and 19.00 – 21.30 every day. Online support: www.rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk
- LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428
- Men’s Advice Line for male victims of domestic abuse: 0808 801 0327 or www.mensadviceline.org.uk
- The Mix, free remote counselling and help for under 25’s: 0808 808 4994
- Rights of Women legal advice lines: www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/advice-lines
- For domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them Respect Phone line provides a confidential helpline, email and webchat service: 0808 8024040 or www.respectphoneline.org.uk
- Childline – call 0800 1111 or access online: https://www.childline.org.uk
Women’s Aid has published guidance on Safety and Wellbeing advice for victims of domestic abuse and advice for friends, family, neighbours and community members. This can be found on their website.
Sexual abuse includes:
- rape
- indecent exposure
- sexual harassment
- inappropriate looking or touching
- sexual teasing or innuendo
- sexual photography
- subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts
- indecent exposure
- sexual assault
- sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting
Support services
Rape Crisis online 24/7 service to support victims of rape and sexual abuse aged 16 and over.
The service will support anyone who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. This includes people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse themselves, as well as their friends, family or anyone else who is trying to support them.
For more information please see the Rape Crisis website.
Psychological abuse includes:
- emotional abuse
- threats of harm or abandonment
- deprivation of contact
- humiliation
- blaming
- controlling
- intimidation
- coercion
- harassment
- verbal abuse
- cyber bullying
- isolation
- unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks
Financial or material abuse includes:
- theft
- fraud
- internet scamming
- coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions
- the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
Modern Slavery includes:
- slavery
- human trafficking
- forced labour and domestic servitude.
- traffickers and slave masters using whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment
Support Services
Barnardo’s Trafficking Service (Hampshire based) support young people that are suspected or have been confirmed as being trafficked and also support the social workers of those young people. Tel: 0800 043 4303.
First responders who work for designated organisations can refer potential victims (of any age) using the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Form. If you are not a first responder, you can get help, report a suspicion, or seek advice using the Modern Slavery Helpline (tel: 0800 0121 700)
Further information or resources:
Victims of Modern Slavery – Home Office guidance
4LSAB Guidance on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (includes Victim Pathway)
Survivor Hub: a resource by the Human Trafficking Foundation for survivors to find opportunities for work and paid research participation; and resources on education, housing support, the National Referral Mechanism and mental health support. It includes directories of support providers and legal advisors across the country.
Discriminatory abuse includes:
- harassment
- slurs or similar treatment:
- because of race
- gender and gender identity
- age
- disability
- sexual orientation
- religion
Organisational abuse includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.
Neglect and acts of omission includes:
- ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs
- failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services
- the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating
Self-neglect covers a wide range of behaviour including neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.
For more information about hoarding, please see the 4LSAB Hoarding Guidance available on the Policies & Procedures page.
For more resources, please see the Self-Neglect & Hoarding page.