Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. It can affect adults of any gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, religion, background or financial situation. It may happen between partners or ex-partners, family members, carers or others who are personally connected. Domestic abuse can take place inside or outside the home and may be a single incident or a pattern of behaviour.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 describes behaviour as abusive if it includes physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, or psychological, emotional or other abuse. Abuse can be obvious, but it can also be subtle, hidden and sustained over time.
Domestic abuse may include:
- physical harm, threats or intimidation
- controlling or coercive behaviour, such as isolating someone, monitoring them, restricting choices or making them fearful
- economic or financial abuse, including controlling money, benefits, property, possessions or access to services
- psychological or emotional abuse, including humiliation, threats, blame, manipulation or intimidation
- abuse linked to caring arrangements, including a carer using care, medication, mobility, communication or access to support as a means of control
- stalking, harassment, digital or online abuse
- forced marriage, so-called “honour”-based abuse, female genital mutilation or other harmful practices
- abuse by family members, partners, ex-partners or others who have a close personal connection to the adult.
Domestic abuse and adult safeguarding
Domestic abuse is not automatically an adult safeguarding concern in every situation. However, adult safeguarding duties may apply where there is concern that an adult:
- has needs for care and support
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
- is unable to protect themselves from the abuse, neglect or risk of harm because of those care and support needs.
This may include adults who are older, disabled, living with mental ill-health, neurodivergent, experiencing substance use difficulties, living with long-term illness, dependent on others for care, or otherwise unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.
Where domestic abuse and adult safeguarding overlap, agencies should work together to respond in a way that is lawful, proportionate, trauma-informed and person-centred. The adult’s safety, wishes, feelings, desired outcomes and rights should be central to any response.
Making Safeguarding Personal
Safeguarding responses should follow Making Safeguarding Personal principles. This means working with the adult, wherever possible, to understand what matters to them, what outcomes they want, what support they need and how risks can be managed in a way that respects their rights, dignity and autonomy.
Practitioners should not make assumptions about what the adult wants or what action should be taken. Some adults may not feel able to leave an abusive situation immediately, may be frightened of consequences, may rely on the person causing harm for care or support, or may have had previous experiences where asking for help did not feel safe. A careful, respectful and strengths-based response is essential.
Recognising possible signs of domestic abuse in adults
Possible indicators may include:
- unexplained injuries, frequent accidents or delayed presentation for treatment
- appearing frightened, withdrawn, anxious or unusually quiet in the presence of another person
- another person speaking for the adult or preventing private conversation
- isolation from family, friends, services or community support
- lack of access to money, identification documents, phone, medication, equipment or transport
- repeated missed appointments or the adult being prevented from attending appointments alone
- sudden changes in accommodation, finances, appearance, confidence or wellbeing
- signs that care or support is being withheld, misused or used to control the adult
- concerns about coercion, undue influence or pressure around decisions, relationships, money, property or care.
These signs do not prove that domestic abuse is happening, but they should prompt professional curiosity and safe, sensitive enquiry.
Asking safely about domestic abuse
If you are worried that an adult may be experiencing domestic abuse:
- only ask questions when it is safe and private to do so
- do not ask in front of the person who may be causing harm
- use calm, non-judgemental language
- listen carefully and take what the adult says seriously
- explain what you may need to share and why
- consider the adult’s communication needs, mental capacity, advocacy needs and preferred method of contact
- record concerns clearly, including the adult’s views, wishes and desired outcomes
- consider whether children, carers or other adults may also be at risk
- seek advice if you are unsure.
Do not attempt to mediate between the adult and the person causing harm. Do not contact the alleged perpetrator or take action that could increase risk without appropriate safety planning and multi-agency advice.
What to do if you are concerned
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you think a crime has been committed but there is no immediate danger, contact the police on 101.
If you are worried that an adult with care and support needs is being abused, exploited or neglected, or is at risk of this happening, report the concern to Warrington Adult Social Care / One Front Door:
- 01925 443322
- Outside office hours: 01925 444400
Professionals should complete the online adult safeguarding referral form through Warrington Borough Council.
If the concern relates to a person in a position of trust who works with, volunteers with or cares for adults with care and support needs, follow the WSAB Person in a Position of Trust process. If an adult is directly at risk, complete an adult safeguarding referral.
Think Family
Domestic abuse can affect the whole household. Where there are children, young people, carers or other adults involved, practitioners should consider wider family risks and needs, while still keeping the adult’s safety, rights and wishes central to the response.
Adult safeguarding, domestic abuse services, police, health, housing, children’s services and voluntary sector partners may all have a role in supporting safety and reducing risk.
Key message
Domestic abuse is everyone’s business. If you are worried about an adult, do not ignore it. Listen, record, seek advice and report concerns through the appropriate route. A timely, safe and person-centred response can help protect adults from harm and support them to regain choice, control and safety.
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