What should I do if I am being abused or think someone I know may be being abused?
If you know or think someone is being abused or you are being abused, you should tell someone. Everyone has a responsibility to keep people safe. Tell someone you can trust or report your concern to Adult Social Care Darlington-Safeguarding Partnership worried about an adult Worried about an Adult - How to report a concern [external link].
Who Do I Contact?
You may want to tell someone that something is happening to you.
You may be concerned about someone, whether you are a relative, a neighbour or a member of the public. Someone may tell you something that has happened to them or you may see or hear something happening, that makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
The priority is to keep people safe from harm. It can be difficult to identify the seriousness of a concern when the abuse is first recognised but where there is any concern at all, this should be reported. We will respond to all concerns.
Report it
All reports are treated seriously. Police and Adult Social Care employees have a legal duty to make enquiries into the alleged abuse or neglect of adults at risk.
Darlington Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board has published a safeguarding poster [pdf document] explaining how members of the public can report abuse.
There are several ways you can report abuse. These include:
Emergency:
If someone is in immediate danger contact the police on 999
If the situation is not an emergency but a crime has been committed contact the police on 101.
Adult Contact Team (Adult Social Care at Darlington Borough Council)
You can explain that you wish to report a suspected case of adult abuse.
Telephone - 01325 406111
Fax - 01325 406824
Minicom - 01325 468504
If you require urgent help outside office hours, you can contact the Emergency Duty Team from 5pm on Friday to 9am on Monday and also on Bank holidays.
Telephone - 01642 524552
Minicom - 01642 602346
Practitioners can complete the Safeguarding Adults Concern Form and email to: ssact@darlington.gov.uk
What happens next
When a concern is reported we will work with the adult at risk and anyone else they would like to be involved, this may be a partner, family member or friend or another appropriate representative.
Sometimes we may need to speak to other people to get or share more information. Sometimes the police may be involved if the person is in danger or a crime has been committed.
Sometimes we may hold a meeting to help us decide who should be involved. The adult at risk and anyone else they would like to be involved can take part in this meeting, and sometimes we just need to talk about the concern together, instead of a meeting.
At every point the adult at risk or a representative on their behalf will be involved. The adult at risk or their representative can tell us their views and wishes, what they want to happen, and what outcome they wish to achieve at any time. Sometimes, the person may need support from a family member, friend or advocate to help decide how to keep them safe, this will help us to plan to meet those needs. The person or their representative will always be fully involved in developing a plan to keep them safe, and how this may prevent and protect them from harm.
For any safeguarding concern it is important that the views and wishes of the adult at the centre of the enquiry are considered. If someone is in danger it is important that we make sure they are safe. It is important to talk about the concern and find out the best way to keep the person at risk or others safe.
Darlington Safeguarding Partnership has published a safeguarding leaflet [pdf document] to explain safeguarding to service users and the public.
There are several other organisations you can contact if you suspect abuse.