Perpetrators of Abuse

The person alleged to have caused harm

Abuse can occur anywhere and be caused by anyone. Adults at risk are sometimes abused by strangers, but more often, they are abused by someone known to them or in a position of trust or power. This may include:

• A partner, relative, friend or child.
• A neighbour or someone from the community network.
• A paid carer or volunteer.
• A health, social care worker or other professional.
• Another adult at risk.
• A non-carer or stranger.

Abuse can occur in any relationship. It often occurs where the person who is abusive is in a more powerful position than the person who is being abused. The person causing the harm may also be suffering with mental ill-health or substance misuse problems. 

Abuse occurs when the abuser misuses such power either intentionally, or unintentionally, or for their own benefit or gain. We know from safeguarding data that Neglect and Acts of Omission is the most common type of reported abuse to local authorities in England and Lewisham. Much of this is unintentional, although still harmful, and can be caused by unpaid carer burn out, lack of support or assessment of unpaid carers, staffing problems and shortages in the care sector, or because poor practices have developed unchallenged. Cost of living also has an impact with adults experiencing financial or material (this can be items such as food being stolen) abuse from unpaid and paid carers, because of the pressures faced by many individuals and families.    

The person who is abusive may have more power because they are more able than the person they are abusing.

They may also have more power because the adult at risk may be dependent on them in some way.

In some instances the abuser themselves may also be an adult at risk, for example another service user, or an adult with learning disabilities caring for a frail older parent. Resident on resident abuse in care homes, or patient on patient incidents are reported through safeguarding which can include very serious physical, psychological and sexual abuse cases. 

There can often be a power imbalance between a member of staff, paid carer or a volunteer and an adult at risk.

It must be noted that some abusers deliberately seek out adults who appear to be at risk and exploit an existing vulnerability with the intention of abusing, harming, exploiting or manipulating that person. We know from evidence and research that criminal gangs, often sophisticated fraudsters, target individuals in this way linked to financial SCAMS which are increasingly being perpetrated online, although doorstep crimes are still prevalent.