Safeguarding and domestic abuse

On this page:
Report abuse – make it stop
What is safeguarding?
What is domestic abuse?
Violence against women and girls

Report Abuse – make it stop

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, phone the police on 999, or call them on 101 if it is less urgent.

Protecting Adults

If you are concerned about adult abuse or neglect, help and support is available on protecting adults page. 

Protecting Children 

If you are concerned about a child or young person, help and support is available on the caring for children page. 

Domestic abuse 

Advice and information on support available can be found on the domestic abuse page. 

What is safeguarding

Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. If you think that someone is at risk, you must report. Everyone can make a difference.

Abuse can be:

• Physical – being slapped, pushed or punched
• Sexual – being touched inappropriately or forced to have sex
• Emotional – being shouted at, humiliated or threatened with harm
• Financial – having money and valuables taken without permission, being prevented from accessing own money or being pressured to give or leave money or things in a will
• Neglect – not being given support that’s needed to stay well; for example, not getting medicine, adequate food and/or drink
• Discrimination – being treated badly because of age, disability, race or religion
• Self-neglect – an adult who doesn’t look after themselves, their home or health
• Domestic abuse – which could incorporate all of the above forms of abuse and could include coercive control

Abuse can happen anywhere:

• at home or at work
• in a care home, day centre, hospital
• in any public place

Anyone can be an abuser:

• a partner, relative, carer
• neighbours and friends
• staff

Signs of abuse:

• changes in behaviour
• changes in appearance
• changes in lifestyle, routine or circumstances 
• injuries which occur regularly
• unusual difficulty with finances  
• over-emphasising that everything is OK  
• seeking attention
• appearing to be frightened
• changing in eating habits 

If you spot any of these signs talk to the person when they are on their own to see if you can help – they may be experiencing other problems (like illness or depression).

What is domestic abuse?

You have the right to live free from domestic abuse, whatever your situation you can get help. If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 999.

If your situation is not urgent, call the police on 101 or contact the Housing Advice Service on 0118 937 2165 to plan your next steps.

More information is available on our page on domestic abuse.

The Home Office’s ‘official’ definition of domestic abuse is “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”.

This can include, but is not limited to the following types of abuse:

• Psychological
• Physical
• Sexual
• Financial
• Emotional

Controlling behaviours

These are acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Coercive behaviours

These are acts or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

Violence against women and girls

The Home Office has launched a campaign to tackle violence against women and girls. The campaign, called ‘Enough’, aims to challenge perpetrators, and raise awareness of what we can all do to call out abuse. Find out more about the Enough campaign.

Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA) provide refuge and community-based support services for all of those at risk of domestic abuse.

Trust House provides a range of support services for people affected by rape and sexual abuse. They also have a confidential helpline you can contact on 0118 958 4033.