Categories by nation
The different UK nations have different ways of categorising harm and abuse for adults. The differences in the laws might affect what happens next, which statutory services respond and in what way, or it may just be a difference in terminology.
In Northern Ireland, for example, national policy has the category of ‘exploitation’ – this covers a number of situations like domestic abuse, trafficking and modern slavery. In England, legislation for adult safeguarding separates abuse out into 10 categories, Scotland’s law is clear that adults should be protected from ‘all harm’ and Wales recognises that the five categories of abuse could be experienced in a number of different ways - so domestic abuse may involve emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse, for example.
Unless you hold a professional safeguarding role, it’s not necessary for you to know the distinctions of the legal categories of harm and abuse, although it may give you confidence in following up concerns. If you are worried that someone isn’t safe, talk to your Safeguarding Lead.
The Care Act 2014 defines the following ten categories of abuse and neglect that can affect adults. It also states that it isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list and that abuse and neglect can take many forms:
Physical abuse: Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication and restraint.
Psychological abuse: Including emotional abuse, humiliation, threats of harm or abandonment, coercion, intimidation, isolation, harassment and cyber bullying.
Neglect or acts of omission: Including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs; failure to provide access to appropriate health, care, support or educational services; not meeting basic needs such as food, warmth and shelter.
Sexual abuse: Including rape, sexual harassment, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual photography and inappropriate looking, touching or sexual teasing.
Financial or material abuse: Including theft, fraud, coercion in relation to finances including wills, property, inheritance or transactions and misuse of possessions or benefits.
Domestic abuse: Including control and coercion, psychological, physical, sexual, financial abuse and so called ‘honour’ based violence.
Modern Slavery: Including forced labour and domestic servitude, human trafficking and coercing, deceiving or forcing someone into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
Discriminatory abuse: Including harassment, slurs and unfair treatment based on race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Organisational abuse: Including neglect and poor care as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an institution, care setting, or by those providing care services in someone’s own home.
Self-neglect: Including neglecting to care for personal hygiene, health or surroundings.
A really helpful description of types and indicators of all ten categories of abuse is available in this document produced by SCIE (Social Care Institute of Excellence)
The Ann Craft Trust also has a video about adult safeguarding that explores general principles and types of abuse: https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/what-is-safeguarding/
Types of abuse for adults in Northern Ireland are defined in: Adult Safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership key documents (health-ni.gov.uk)
Physical abuse: The use of physical force or mistreatment of one person by another. The abuse may or may not result in actual physical injury.
Sexual violence and abuse: Any behaviour perceived to be of a sexual nature which is unwanted or happens without consent or understanding.
Psychological / emotional abuse: Any behaviour that is psychologically harmful or inflicts mental distress.
Financial abuse: Theft, fraud, exploitation, misuse or misappropriation of money, property, benefits and material goods that the person did not or could not consent to.
Institutional abuse: Mistreatment or neglect of an adult by systems or individuals in places where they live, visit or receive services.
Neglect: Failing to provide care or support that results in someone being harmed.
Exploitation: Deliberate maltreatment, manipulation or abuse of power and control over another person. The policy names slavery, servitude, forced labour, domestic violence and abuse and human trafficking as examples of exploitation.
The policy also states that the above list of types of harmful conduct is not exhaustive and other indicators of harm should not be ignored.
If you are concerned about someone, talk to the Adult Safeguarding Champion or the Safeguarding Lead in your organisation.
Physical harm: Can include hitting, kicking, rough-handling, scalding, physical punishments, inappropriate use of restraint, misuse of medication, involuntary isolation, forcible feeding or withholding food.
Sexual harm: Can include rape, attempted rape or sexual assault, inappropriate touch anywhere, any sexual activity the person lacks capacity to consent to, indecent exposure, sexual photography, sexual harassment.
Psychological / Emotional harm: Can include intimidation, coercion, harassment, humiliation, verbal abuse, enforced social isolation, bullying (including cyber bullying), failing to respect privacy.
Financial or material harm: Can include theft, fraud, scamming, pressure and influence in connection with loans, wills, inheritance, property etc, false representation (using another person's bank card or documents), misuse of benefits.
Neglect or acts of omission: Can include failure to provide or allow access to food, shelter, clothing, heating, stimulation and activity, personal or medical care, providing care in a way the person dislikes, ignoring or isolating the person.
Self-Neglect: This is a complex concept and covers a wide range of behaviours. At its most basic, it’s an inability to care for your own basic needs- for example being unable to manage personal affairs, persistent inattention to personal hygiene, health and surroundings.
The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 makes it clear that we should consider ‘all harm’ and that no concern or harm should be overlooked just because it is not specifically named. Pass on all concerns.
Physical abuse: Can include hitting, kicking, rough-handling, scalding, physical punishments, inappropriate use of restraint, misuse of medication, involuntary isolation, forcible feeding or withholding food.
Sexual abuse: Can include rape, attempted rape or sexual assault, inappropriate touch anywhere, any sexual activity the person lacks capacity to consent to, indecent exposure, sexual photography, sexual harassment.
Psychological / Emotional abuse: Can include intimidation, coercion, harassment, humiliation, verbal abuse, enforced social isolation, bullying (including cyber bullying), failing to respect privacy.
Financial abuse: Can include theft, fraud, scamming, pressure and influence in connection with loans, wills, inheritance, property etc, false representation (using another person's bank card or documents), misuse of benefits.
Neglect: Can include failure to provide or allow access to food, shelter, clothing, heating, stimulation and activity, personal or medical care, providing care in a way the person dislikes, ignoring or isolating the person.
A full list of descriptions and indicators is available in the Wales Safeguarding Procedures.
Procedures and policy in Wales make it clear that there are other ways in which these forms of harm can be experienced and behaviours that put adults at greater risk of experiencing these named categories. Particular examples include:
- violence against women
- domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) which includes Female Genital Mutilation, modern slavery, domestic abuse and violence against men and criminal exploitation but emphasise that this is not an exhaustive list.
Anyone who is worried that an adult is at risk of harm and abuse must pass on their concern.
Page last updated: 17 November 2025