Disability can be lots of things, these are some examples:
- Physical or learning disabilities
- Deaf or hearing problems
- Blind or visual impairment
- Long term health problems and illnesses
- Mental health issues
A disability affects how you do every day tasks.
People with disabilities who are being abused may experience these things:
- Physical abuse like hitting or pinching.
- The abuser might refuse to help with things like using the toilet and getting dressed
- Having money or benefits stolen. Using bank cards to buy things without permission
- The abuser might say things like 'no one else will love you' or 'you can't live without me'
- They might threaten that the person with disabilities will have to live in a care home
- They could make threats about taking children away
- Sexual violence or making the person have sex when they don't want to is domestic abuse
Some people with disabilities are protected by Safeguarding Adults laws, they are called Adults at Risk of Abuse or Neglect.
You can find our more about Adult Safeguarding in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on the Safeguarding Adults Board website
To report an Adult Safeguarding concern, please call the numbers below
Cambridgeshire: Tel: 0345 045 5202 or visit the website here
Peterborough: 01733 747474 or visit the website here
Getting Help
Support is available to anyone living in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough who is being abused. Call Domestic Abuse Support Service on 0300 373 1073. It is free to call this number. You can also email DASSReferrals@impakt.org.uk
The leaflet below explains what domestic abuse is, and how to get help.
Carers can also be victims of domestic abuse – this could be a long-standing situation or as a result of behaviour changes in their partner due to illness or disability.
Carers may also be a vulnerable adult or adult at risk of abuse or neglect in their own right. This is a complex area but professional support is available.
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/careandsupport