There are many possible indicators of the types of abuse discussed in an earlier section. Here are some of the indicators of abuse that you should know:
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- Signs of physical abuse: Broken bones, bruises, unexplained loss of clumps of hair, bite, burn or scald marks
- Signs of domestic violence: Any of these relating to the different types of abuse or neglect that can occur in any incident
- Signs of modern slavery: Rarely being allowed to travel on their own, having few or no personal belongings, avoiding eye contact and appearing frightened, signs of physical or psychological abuse
- Signs of financial or material abuse: Bills not being paid, loss of assets, not having enough food or clothing, expenditure higher than the living conditions suggest
- Signs of sexual abuse: Bloodstained underwear, pain and discomfort when walking or sitting, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy
- Signs of neglect and self-neglect: Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, dirty clothing and bedding, taking the wrong dosage of medication
- Signs of psychological abuse: Anxiety, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, disturbed sleep
- Signs of organisational abuse: Poor care standards, rigid routines, lack of staff learning, development and support
- Signs of discriminatory abuse: Poor service that does not meet the person’s needs, verbal abuse and disrespect, exclusion from activities and/or services
By noticing these signs early, you can help stop abuse before it gets any worse, so you should familiarise yourself with these signs as much as possible.
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