Published 30th August 2023
If you are looking after someone you have the right to feel safe. If you are worried that the person who you look after may harm you, or that you may harm them, getting support early can help keep you safe.
Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board Norfolk County Council and Voluntary Norfolk have worked together to put together information specifically for unpaid carers. This has included getting listening to the views and experiences of unpaid carers.
Becky Booth, Deputy Manager, Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) said, “Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) wanted to help raise awareness with carers about safeguarding and ways of preventing abuse happening.
“A carer may be a victim of abuse themselves, or sometime be the person causing harm (often unintentionally, caused by the pressures they experience).
“The earlier someone gets support, the more likely it is that we can prevent abuse and harm from happening in the first place. This is why we have worked with Norfolk County Council and Carers Matter Norfolk to develop this short leaflet with some pointers about recognising what abuse might look like, and where to get help.
“Getting help does not mean you have not been looking after someone well, or that you do not care about them. You will be listened to and supported in your caring role as little or as much as you wish.”
Examples of what might make you feel less safe include:
- Someone is verbally or physically aggressive to you.
- Unwanted sexual behaviour.
- Controlling behaviour such as criticising you, isolating you from friends or family, or controlling what happens in the home.
- You are worried someone might hurt you on purpose or by accident.
- The person you care for refusing to accept anyone’s help but yours.
- You are worried you might harm the person you look after.
- You feel pressured into doing more than you are able or want to.
This includes information on who you can contact in different situations.