Kent and Medway Documented 22,240 Adult Abuse Reports in the Past Year

The Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB) has reported that 22,240 instances of adult abuse were recorded across Kent and Medway over the last year. The types of abuse identified included physical, domestic, sexual, psychological, financial, modern slavery, and neglect. KMSAB, which is endorsing an adult abuse awareness week from 18-22 November, stated that “noticing is not nosiness” and advised, “if you are concerned about an adult, report it”. Andy Rabey, the KMSAB chairperson, commented: “Safeguarding is everyone’s business and the impact of someone recognising the signs of abuse cannot be overstated.” A spokesperson for KMSAB, an entity composed of representatives from Medway Council, Kent County Council, Kent Police, and the Integrated Care Board, remarked: “Adults can be at risk of different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere.” The spokesperson further explained: “This could be self-neglecting, or when someone else treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions. “People who abuse are not always strangers, they can also be partners, relatives, a friend, neighbour or carer.” KMSAB has developed a resource pack intended to stimulate conversations and encourage local organizations to host events during the national Ann Craft Trust National Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week. The organization indicated its objective is to empower individuals to feel sufficiently confident to identify various forms of abuse and report their safeguarding concerns. Each day of the week is dedicated to a distinct safeguarding theme, ranging from ‘establishing professional boundaries’ to ‘organisational learning’.