Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) first championed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in 2006 in order to bring attention to the issue of elder abuse in our global society.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, held on June 15 each year, is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognises the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights concern. The day serves as a call to action for individuals, organisations and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect and the exploitation of older people.
The detection and response to elder abuse is significantly challenged by the lack of awareness and understanding, or even recognition of the issue among our communities
Elder Abuse is defined as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person or violates their human and civil rights. (Protecting our Future, Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse, September 2002). Sixty five years of age is taken as the point beyond which abuse may be considered to be elder abuse.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides an opportunity for all of us to focus our attention on elder abuse. It challenges each one of us to help eradicate abuse of older people and to redouble efforts to promote respect and dignity for all older people. Everybody has a role to play and the challenges posed by elder abuse cannot be met solely by any one individual, organisation, or state body.
The different types of abuse may be categorised as follows:
Any person or organisation may be guilty of abuse. Most often it is someone well known to the older person, for example, a family member, relative, friend or care provider – a relationship where there is an expectation of trust.
Abuse can take place anywhere: most abuse takes place in the home, whether the person is living alone or with family. It may also occur within residential, day-care, or hospital settings, other places assumed to be safe, or in a public place.
If you or someone you know is being abused, talk to
The HSE is the competent authority for the reporting of Elder Abuse and has a dedicated Elder Abuse Service. For more information, see the Safeguarding section of the HSE's website which provides details of the Safeguarding policy, together with elder abuse publications. Please see also the details of the HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams which are located in each of the Community Health Care Organisations.
You can also seek advice from the HSE Information Line:
The main provider of services to safeguard in Ireland is the HSE which operates an Adult Safeguarding Policy within older persons services and services for people with disabilities.
The National Safeguarding Office is based in Limerick (safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie / (061) 461 165) and there are nine regional Safeguarding and Protection Teams covering all community health regions in the country.
The teams are tasked to assess allegations of abuse or neglect and to intervene to address concerns (being mindful of the will and preferences of the adult at risk of abuse).
The local contact details for each of the nine regional teams are:
Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal | safeguarding.cho1@hse.ie | (071)9834660 | |
Roscommon, Galway and Mayo | safeguarding.cho2@hse.ie | (091)748432 | |
Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary and East Limerick | safeguarding.cho3@hse.ie | (067)46470 | |
Cork and Kerry | safeguarding.cho4@hse.ie | (021)4927550 | |
South Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford | safeguarding.cho5@hse.ie | (056)7784325 | |
Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin South East | safeguarding.cho6@hse.ie | (01)2164511 | |
Kildare, Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West | safeguarding.cho7@hse.ie | (045)920410 | |
Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath | safeguarding.cho8@hse.ie | (01)6914632 | |
Dublin North, Dublin North Central and Dublin North West | safeguarding.cho9@hse.ie | (01)7959528 |
For questions about health services you can also contact HSE Live which is open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am–8pm. Callsave 1800 700 700, or 01 240 8787.
The department will also act on any reports it receives of alleged abuse of its pension/benefit recipients, consulting or involving as appropriate other relevant agencies such as the HSE or An Garda Siochána. Investigations of alleged abuse are coordinated by the Safeguarding Unit in the department: