Staying safe
Have you or anyone you know been harmed or hurt?
Abuse is harming, mistreating, or hurting someone. It can happen in different ways such as:
- Hitting, slapping, shaking, pushing, or making someone eat, drink or take medication when they don’t want to
- Shouting, swearing, ignoring, insulting, humiliating, or embarrassing someone
- Not caring for someone properly or denying someone choice, information or privacy
- Unwanted touching, kissing, sex or sexual teasing
Insulting or being disrespectful to a person because of their race, religion, disability, sex, age or sexual orientation (being gay or straight) - Using someone’s money, property or personal things without their permission or under pressure
What should you do if you are being abused or are worried about someone?
Don’t ignore it! Please contact Kingston Community Care Services or any of the other agencies listed below. We know that raising concerns about abuse is not easy and we will handle your call with care. Once you have contacted us, and with your permission, we will carry out careful and sensitive enquires.
What happens then will depend on the seriousness of the situation. If you are the person being abused, we will offer you information and advice so that you can make an informed choice about any help you need or action you might want to take.
If you are contacting us about someone else and they are unable to make an informed choice, we will make sure they are properly cared for and protected.
If you are being abused and feel unable to call us or one of the other agencies listed on the back page yourself, tell someone you trust and ask them to do it for you.
It’s easy to let the situation continue, especially if you think you are doing something to cause it, or you think it’s all your fault. It’s not your fault!
Do something about it now!
In an Emergency call 999
Community Care Services (for concerns about adults)
Telephone: 020 8547 6008
Email: cust.serv@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Children and Family Services
(for concerns about children)
Telephone: 020 8547 5888
Emergency Duty Social Work Team (For urgent help outside office hours)
Telephone: 020 8770 5000
Kingston Police
Telephone: 020 8541 1212
Victim Support Kingston
Telephone: 020 8547 3202
Samaritans
Telephone: 020 8399 6676
Age Concern, Kingston upon Thames
Telephone: 020 8942 8256
Action on Elder Abuse
Telephone: 0808 808 8141
Commission for Social Care Inspection (Regulates and inspects all care services in England)
Telephone: 0845 015 0120
Related Documents:
Get help accessing files or request files in alternative formats- Abuse hurts - this leaflet tells you about the different types of abuse, how to recognise them, and what help is available.