Abuse statistics revealed in report (From Western Telegraph)

Abuse statistics revealed in Pembrokeshire County Council report

8:50am Saturday 16th February 2013 in County News

Physical abuse of adults remains the most common form of abuse reported to Pembrokeshire County Council.

And victims are as likely to be abused in their own homes as in a care home setting, according to the report by Pembrokeshire Adult Protection Committee.

The annual report for 2011/2012 showed physical abuse remains the most commonly reported, although victims often suffer more than one kind of abuse.

Some 37% of cases concerned people abused in their own homes, with 38% of cases relating to abuse in a care home setting.

There were only slightly more cases where the abuser was a member of staff – 42%, compared to 39% of cases where a member of the victim’s family or an acquaintance was the abuser.

Of the 825 matters of concern reported to the team, 142 cases were dealt with via the adult protection process.

There were almost double the number of female victims, with 91 cases involving female victims, compared to 51 relating to male victims.

Some 88 of the cases related to victims aged 65 plus and 54 were for those under 65 years old.

In 2011/12, there was a slight increase in the number of cases where abuse was as a result of neglect, although physical abuse remains the most common form, with 55 allegations.

There were 48 allegations of emotional/psychological abuse recorded.

Of the 142 referrals investigated, 29 were either admitted or approved.

In 48% of cases the risk was removed/reduced and in 15% of cases an adult protection plan was provided to deliver ongoing support to ensure victims are kept safe and risks are reduced.

Of the persons alleged responsible, 35 were either disciplined/redeployed or dismissed, 12 were prosecuted and 24 received either police cautions or were referred for Protection of Vulnerable Adults listing.

Pembrokeshire County Council social services is the lead group for the adult protection committee, which also includes Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, Safer Pembrokeshire, the Crown Prosecution Service and Hywel Dda Health Board.

Cabinet members received the report at a meeting last Monday (February 4th) and approved a recommendation to refer the report to the safeguarding overview and scrutiny committee for consideration.