Topic 2: Individuals more at risk of being abused Flashcards
Who is most at risk of abuse?
Learning disability Dementia Lack of mental capacity Physical disabilities Sensory impairment Looked after children
Why are individuals with learning disabilities more at risk of abuse?
Because they can’t necessarily defend themselves like others where they struggle to understand information, retain it and communicate appropriately.
Why are individuals with dementia, more at risk of being abused?
They cannot express or communicate with others how or what they are feeling as a result being harmed or abused.
They might not recognise that they are being abused
Their behaviours (signs of being abused) might be recognised as being part of the dementia they suffer from rather than abuse.
Why are individuals who lack mental capacity more at risk of abuse?
Because they rely on others to make decisions for them and might not have the capacity to tell others what they want.
Why are those with physical disabilities more at risk of abuse?
Due to not being able to carry out physical activities or escape situations easily, it can make it particularly difficult for individual’s with physical disabilities to escape situations where they are being hurt. This can be especially evident when it is the care giver who is abusing the individual.
Why are those with a sensory impairment more likely to experience abuse?
They depend on others to meet their everyday needs
They may be unable to complete personal hygiene independently
May be unable to communicate their needs to others if they have a multi-sensory impairment or if others don’t use the appropriate communication
Why are looked after children more vulnerable to abuse?
They haven’t been able to develop the skills they need to in order to manage with day to day life
They are dependent on care givers
They could be in an environment where they don’t have any close relationships
What environmental factors make abuse more likely?
Individual living facilities Homelessness Health services Institutional services Adults and children residing in residential settings
Why does living in individual living facilities make someone more at risk of abuse?
They won’t have as much contact from their family where they are still able to do things on their own
Where they aren’t visited very much it might make others make fun of them and psychologically abuse them because they are visited less then others living there
Why are individuals who are homeless more likely to experience abuse?
Constantly moving from one place to another
They are in public
They might be battling all weathers
Won’t have the money to afford food/get a job/receive post
Why are individuals who use health services more at risk of abuse?
Staff may not be trained properly
They might not be confident in what they are doing
Why are individuals using institutional services more at risk of being abused?
There is no respect for someone’s privacy, dignity, comfort or needs.
Routines are often rigid and intrusive which invades an individuals privacy
Individuals may find it harder to speak up because they are in the minority group
Why are adults and children living in residential settings more at risk of abuse?
They might fear speaking out about abuse because of a fear that they will lose their home and trust. This may cause abuse to happen because staff know that they won’t report it if they are abusive
