What is abuse?

The links below outline the main forms of abuse that can affect adults who need care and support. Each link explains some of the signs that may indicate that an adult who needs care and support is being abused. Sometimes an adult may experience more than one type of abuse, for example, financial abuse and physical abuse. Or, for example, may experience psychological abuse as a result of physical abuse. The impact of abusive behaviour may be greater when there is a disproportionate balance of power involved, for example, when an adult is reliant on another person for providing their care.