Government hears the voices of vulnerable victims

Victim Support and VOICE UK welcome the Government’s announcement of a review of adult protection guidance as a major step towards stopping the abuse of vulnerable people.

“This announcement shows that the Government has heard the voices of vulnerable adults who have been abused and is committed to making sure the criminal justice system, as well as the health service and local agencies, responds to their needs,” stated Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Victim Support.

“The Comic Relief and Department of Health research published today is a stark and shocking exposure of the abuse of elderly people by those who are meant to be caring for them. But we must not forget that similar, appalling abuse happens every day to people with learning disabilities, who have mental health needs, disabled people and those with long term illnesses” said Kathryn Stone, Chief Executive of VOICE UK.

“Ivan Lewis is right to say that society needs to wake up to the problem of the abuse of vulnerable adults in the same way as it has woken up to the abuse of children” continued Stone. “Everyone will be a vulnerable adult at sometime in their lives, either through illness or as they get older. Everyone knows a vulnerable adult, be it their parents, friends or neighbours. The need for appropriate safeguards touches everyone.”

“It is important to remember that abuse is often a crime and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, the police are often not involved at the early stages, if at all, which means that vulnerable victims are denied justice,” said Guy.

Victim Support and VOICE UK are aware of cases where the police have not been called when an abuse allegation has been made and the subsequent delay has damaged the chance of a conviction. They have therefore welcomed Ivan Lewis’ commitment to involve criminal justice agencies in the review of adult protection guidance as an important step towards achieving justice for vulnerable victims.

“The current No Secrets guidance is seven years old and in some cases it has clearly not worked. The terrible abuse cases we deal with have shown that this review is due” stated Stone.

“Ivan Lewis has asked our organisations and other stakeholders to help in this review and we are more than willing to work together to achieve justice for all vulnerable adults.” said Guy.

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