Safeguarding adults
Information for anyone who is concerned that an adult may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
An adult who is at risk is someone who:
- needs care and support, whether or not the council provides it
- is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
- as a result can't protect themselves from abuse or neglect because of their care and support needs
Report a concern about an adult
If you are concerned that an adult is being abused or neglected you can report a concern about an adult on the Essex Safeguarding Adults Board (ESAB) site.
Or, you can contact the ESAB by email on businesssupport.adultsovas@essex.gov.uk
⚠ If you are worried that there is an immediate risk of harm to an adult then you should contact Essex Police.
What is adult abuse and neglect
Abuse is when anyone violates someone else's human and civil rights. The abuse might not be done on purpose but the most important thing is whether the adult at risk has been harmed.
Abuse and neglect can be:
- physical abuse
- domestic violence
- sexual abuse
- psychological / emotional abuse
- financial abuse
- modern slavery
- neglect and acts of omission
- discriminatory abuse
- organisational abuse
- self neglect
Abuse or neglect can happen in many places, such as:
- at home
- in sheltered housing
- in supported living settings
- at day centres and other day services
- in care homes
- in hospitals
- wherever anyone depends on care from other people
Additional information