Let's talk about safeguarding - Responding to abuse | Mencap

Let's talk about safeguarding - Responding to abuse

Getting help from someone about abuse and neglect if you see abuse

If you have been abused or neglected, or you see abuse, you are probably scared or upset.

Two women talking - one looks worried and holds her arms out

Do you know someone who has the knowledge and experience in how to support you?

Tell them what has happened. They will support you to report it to the police.

A woman in a red beanie hat is writing something down at a desk

Write down the people you can talk to.

You can draw or add pictures if you want to.

A woman holds a piece of paper whilst talking to someone at a table

What happens when I report abuse?

Speak to someone you know and trust. This person may be someone who supports you.

They will listen to you, and they will need to write down what you say.

This person could be a family member or friend.

Family members and friends can be advocates and supporters.

A woman with her hands folded standing and talking to her friend. Her friend has his arm around her.

You will then get help and support to report the abuse or neglect.

You will be asked what you want to happen, and your feelings will be taken into account!

A young woman sitting on the floor being comforted by a friend who is introducing her to three new friends.

You will also be asked about the people you want involved so you have all the support you need.

A group of people working together at a table. Around them is a circle and the word Plan

You may be asked if you want to make a plan to keep you safe.

You can have other people help you with this.

Write or draw somethings that are important to you to feel supported when you report abuse.

This could be having a friend with you or being given more time to answer questions.

A woman with her finger on her lips and a sign saying Confidential

Will what I say be kept a secret?

We cannot keep secrets! But we can make sure the information we share is confidential .

Confidential means that the only people who will know are the people who can help you.

A woman and a man sit at a desk writing on a piece of paper. The man is helping the woman.

Other people may need to know, but you should always be asked before.

A supporter is sitting next to the person talking to the policeman at a desk in a meeting room

If the police are supporting you, someone else you trust can also help you and be with you.

Write or draw the person or persons you would want to be with you if you had to report abuse.

A group of people next to the front cover of a leaflet called 'Human Rights Act'

Do I have to report abuse?

We all have rights as human beings and there are laws that protect these rights. The law that tells us all these rights is called the Human Rights Act (1998).

A man and a police woman are comforting a young girl who is crouched on the floor

The Human Rights Act says we have a right to life!

This means the police and support staff where you live should keep us safe if we are in danger.

A woman in a wheelchair being pushed by a support worker. Next to them is the front cover of a leaflet called 'Care Act 2014'

Another law we need to know about is called 'The Care Act (2014).

This act helps us know what abuse is, and what we can do if we see it.

We have a right to be treated in a way that is respectful and doesn't make us feel scared, sad or hurt.

A group of workers are meeting and talking to people with learning disabilities

The Care Act (2014) says that Mencap must work with other organisations to help keep people safe.

The Care Act (2014) also says that Mencap and everyone else when someone is being abused or neglected. It gives details on how to keep people safe.

A group of care workers surrounding a woman in a wheelchair

Mencap and other organisations have a duty of care to help with any issues that could hurt you.

Duty of care means Mencap cannot ignore abuse. We have to do something about it.

A man is making an urgent phone call to a helpline advisor. The man is telling the advisor about a person who he is worried about.

We also have the right to feel free and safe.

When someone hurts us, it is very important to tell someone else about it.

Most people will have freedom to make their own choices, or some won't and will have people to do it for them.

An elderly man holds up a piece of paper with tick boxes on it

Reporting abuse

If you need to report abuse or neglect:

A woman is calling the police on her mobile phone

Remember some forms of abuse are also crimes. The police may need to be involved.

A woman talking to her friend, walking away from a group of people who have been mean to her. Her friend has his arm around her.

Speak to a friend, family member or support worker if you are not sure.

A young woman pointing to show another woman something

Step 1:

You see that abuse has happened, or you have been abused.

A group of people protecting someone behind a Safe Guarding shield

Step 2:

The person needs to get to a place of safety. This will be the responsibility of the staff member at the service.

If you have been abused go somewhere safe or go to someone who can keep you safe.

Step 3

If you think a crime has happened call the police!

If you do not know, call someone who can help you.

A shadow of someone raising their fist over a man who is cowering on the floor is crossed out in red

Mencap takes safeguarding very seriously.

We want everyone to be able to live their life safely and with respect.

A woman holding up an open book that says Easy Read on the cover

For more information visit our Let's talk about safeguarding - What is abuse? Easy Read page.

A laptop with an email on it and a mobile phone.

If you, or someone you know needs help urgently, we have some useful contact numbers on our Crisis advice page, but where there is an immediate risk of harm you should call 999.

For safeguarding advice you can contact the Learning Disability Helpline.