Abuse

Abuse happens when any person’s rights and dignity are not respected by another person. Abuse can be deliberate, or the person causing it may not understand that what they are doing is wrong. Abuse can be experienced by a Leader or a Staff Member.

The following are types of abuse:

Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing, shaking, rough handling, threat of physical force, giving too much or too little medication.

Emotional: Intimidation, threats, humiliation, isolation, verbal abuse or being prevented from receiving needed services

Sexual: Sexual activity that is unwanted or not understood.

Financial: Unauthorised or improper use of a person’s funds, property, pension or benefits.

Organisational: Inadequate care, or systematic poor practice by an organisation.

Cyber: Online (internet, email, or social media) bullying, intimidation, scamming or coercion.

Neglect: Neglect is when essentials such as food, heating, medication, or hygiene are withheld – and also when a person’s resources are not used for their benefit.

Who is most at risk?

Planning Ahead is recommended for all adults, especially those who are getting older and is particularly important for anyone who might be vulnerable as a result of:

• Reduced decision-making capacity
• Age related frailty
• A serious or sudden illness
• A mental or physical disability
• High-risk of serious illness from COVID-19
• Under the control of another person.

REPORTING ABUSE

To HSE:

The local contact details for each of the nine regional teams are:

• Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal: safeguarding.cho1@hse.ie / (071) 983 4660
• Roscommon, Galway and Mayo: safeguarding.cho2@hse.ie / (091) 748 432
• Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary and East Limerick: safeguarding.cho3@hse.ie / (067) 464 70
• Cork and Kerry: safeguarding.cho4@hse.ie / 021 492 7550
• South Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford: safeguarding.cho5@hse.ie / (056) 778 4325
• Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin South East: safeguarding.cho6@hse.ie / (01) 216 4511
• Kildare, Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West: safeguarding.cho7@hse.ie / (045) 920 410
• Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath: safeguarding.cho8@hse.ie / (01) 691 4632
• Dublin North, Dublin North Central and Dublin North West: safeguarding.cho9@hse.ie / (01) 625 0447.

ÁT DESIGNATED OFFICERS:

Safeguarding Officer

All adults have the right to be safe and to live a life free from abuse.  All persons are entitled to this right, regardless of their circumstances.

It is critical that the rights of Leaders to lead as normal a life as possible is recognised, in particular deprivation of the following rights may constitute abuse:

• Liberty
• Privacy
• Respect and dignity
• Freedom to choose
• Opportunities to fulfil personal aspirations and realise potential in daily life
• Opportunity to live safely without fear of abuse in any form
• Respect for possessions

It is critical that the rights of Staff Members to a workplace free from all forms of abuse is recognised.

Áiseanna Tacaíochta has appointed Designated Officers who will receive and report concerns of abuse or neglect in complete confidence. The Designated Officers are Emma Caparangca and Aisling Whelan they can be contacted by email  emma@theatnetwork.com and aisling@theatnetwork.com or by phone 01 525 0707

Child Safety Officer

Children First: National Guidance states that “protecting children from harm is everyone’s responsibility” Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

Áiseanna Tacaíochta has appointed a Designated Liaison Person who will receive and report concerns of abuse or neglect in complete confidence. The Designated Liaison Person is Aisling Whelan who can be contacted by email on aisling@theatnetwork.com  and by phone at 01 525 0707