Almost 8,000 cases of alleged abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults were reported to the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2016.

The figures have been released to coincide with the National Safeguarding Committee’s new campaign to increase public understanding of what constitutes abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.

This is the first-time annual figures for reported abuse of adults have been recorded.

The figures record instances of alleged abuses or neglect of adults reported to the HSE and the main categories experienced were physical, psychological, financial abuse and neglect.

Of the 7,884 concerns reported, the most common type among 18-64 years olds was physical (48%), psychological (24%) and sexual abuse (11%). Among people over 65s psychological abuse was highest at (27%), followed by physical abuse (22%) and financial abuse (21%).

The figures were announced as the National Safeguarding Committee (NSC) has begun a nationwide campaign to increase public understanding of what constitutes abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults – and the need for greater awareness, policy and legal frameworks to safeguard vulnerable adults.

Vulnerable adults include people living with dementia, mental health problems, physical disability or intellectual disability.

The most likely source for reporting cases to the HSE was from a representative voluntary agency (38%) with 26% through general or public health nurses. Just 2% of cases were self-reported and 4% by families.

National Safeguarding Committee Chairperson Patricia Rickard Clarke said the HSE figures showed a worrying prevalence of adult abuse and a need for greater public awareness.

“There is a lack of public understanding as to what actually constitutes abuse and what safeguarding means for vulnerable adults who are those most at risk. This is shown in that families and individuals reported relatively few cases.

“This aim of the National Safeguarding Committee campaign is to show that taking money to cover care expenses without a person’s knowledge, over medicating, or locking someone in a room while going out is not OK. These are abuses of people’s liberties and rights – including vulnerable people who lack capacity.

“A particular area of concern is financial abuse. I believe that these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Once permission to manage a vulnerable person’s money is handed over to someone else, there is no monitoring as to how that money is then spent and allocated. The majority of people are honourable, but figures suggest that in up to 20% of cases financial abuse occurs."

“The Department of Social Protection is currently looking at how to tackle financial abuse which is to be welcomed. We need a transparent tracking system which accounts for the uses of the finances of people who have reduced capacity,” she said.

General Manager of the HSE National Safeguarding Office Tim Hanly said: 

“Many cases are subtle, and even unintended, as people may not be aware that they actually constitute abuse. We are hopeful that the National Safeguarding Committee led campaign will inform people to consider more carefully the rights, liberties and safeguarding of vulnerable adults.”

A dedicated support number has been established by the HSE National Safeguarding Office at (061) 461 358 which the public can call for advice and to get signposted to appropriate services.

The National Safeguarding Office works with nine HSE safeguarding teams across the country which record and investigate alleged cases. Members of the public are encouraged to contact the teams with any concerns.

The NSC public awareness campaign has been informed by a Nationwide Public Opinion Survey by Red C earlier this year which found that:

Details of the safeguarding campaign and points of contact to report suspected cases are at www.safeguardingcommittee.ie