Types of Abuse

Sometimes people may not even be aware that they are being abused.

This is especially likely if they have a cognitive impairment. Abusers may try to prevent access to the person they abuse.

This page aims to help people who come into contact with people with care and support needs to identify abuse and recognise possible indicators. Many types of abuse are also criminal offences and should be treated as such.

Evidence of any one indicator from the Types of Abuse listed below should not be taken on its own as proof that abuse is occurring. However, it should alert professionals to make further assessments and to consider other associated factors.

The lists of possible indicators and examples of behaviour are not exhaustive and people may be subject to a number of abuse types at the same time.