Adult Social Services and the Police work together to support people who may be unable to take care of themselves, or maybe unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.
What is Abuse?
Every day some people face abuse from people who help to look after them, their relatives, friends and even strangers. Abuse can be:
Sexual
Physical
Verbal
Emotional
Neglect
Financial
There is no easy way to detect signs of abuse. It may result in a number of changes in the way the person acts or looks.
They may become withdrawn or unlike themselves in other ways
Brusing on their body
Financial irregularities
What to do if you are being abused or suspect abuse
The priority is to keep people safe from harm. The seriousness or extent of abuse is difficult to identify when the abuse is first recognised. Where there is any concern at all, this should be reported for further investigation. All concerns will be responded too.
Who Do I Contact?
Contact either Adult Social Services or the Police and tell the person answering the phone that you wish to report a suspected case of adult abuse.
If you require help urgently outside office hours, you can contact the Emergency Duty Team between 5pm Friday - 9am Monday and also on bank holidays. Telephone - 08702 402994
You can also contact the Darlington Domestic Abuse Forum. Telephone - 01325 364486
Adult Social Services
Central House
Gladstone Street
Darlington
DL3 6JX
Telephone - 01325 346200
Fax - 01325 346474
Minicom - 01325 468504