Protection from Abuse

Everyone has a right to be protected from abuse. For those receiving support from our housing services, we will take all reasonable actions to protect clients from abuse, exploitation and/or mistreatment.

What is Abuse?

Abuse includes all forms of harm and mistreatment  and may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may include some of the following:

• Physical: being hit, slapped, shaken, pushed, kicked or burned.
• Sexual: being forced to take part in any sexual activity without consent (including if the victim is one's partner).
• Psychological: being shouted at, sworn at, frightened or ignored.
• Financial: illegal or unauthorised use of a person's property, money, pension or benefit book or other valuables.
• Neglect: being deprived of food, heat, clothing, comfort or essential medication.
• Discrimination: being abused due to race, sex, disability, age, illness, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

Who are the Abusers?

The most likely abusers are family members, but could also be friends or a voluntary or paid carer who is supposed to be visiting and helping you or other service users or neighbours.

What do I do if I need help?

We do understand how difficult it might be for someone to speak about being abused or coming forward to report someone who might be being abused.

Oxford City Council will try and keep your details confidential if you ask them to do so. However, this is not always possible. They may have to pass on your details to other organisations, such as the police, or it may become obvious to others who you are.

Please do not hesitate to speak to someone you can trust, this could include any of the following:

• Your mobile warden or residential warden
• Oxford City Council Housing Tenants and leaseholders: 0800 22 76 76
• Housing Needs Team: 01865 252858

What will happen next?

What happens then will depend on the situation.

We will:

Listen to what you tell us; if you are in immediate danger or in need of medical attention we will contact the emergency services: 999

We will record and report any allegation of abuse to the appropriate authorities, care provider or organisation.

If the abused is unable to make decisions for themselves or other people may be at risk of abuse we will contact:

• Thames Valley Police enquiry centre: 0845 8 505 505
• Oxfordshire Social & Community Services Access Team: 0845 050 7666 to make an adult protection or safeguarding referral, depending upon the persons circumstances.

Further Help

We understand that some people would prefer to talk to someone who has no connection with Oxford City Council. If you, or someone you know, would like help but do not want to speak to anyone at Oxford City Council, there are other options:

If you would like more local assistance you could contact any of the following:

Page last reviewed 6 Apr 2009