Winter Campaign 2008
 One vulnerable person suffers from financial abuse every three days in Southwark.
On November 6 2008 the safeguarding adults partnership board launched its winter campaign 2008.
The campaign highlighted the abuse of vulnerable adults and informed people where to go for help and how to recognise the signs of abuse.
Raising awareness
The action on elder abuse charity estimates that half a million people in the UK suffer abuse at the hands of their families.
In Southwark, approximately 50 per cent of the known cases of alleged abuse involve an individual in a caring role. Given that victims report only a quarter of cases, the campaign will seek to remind people that abuse is everyone's business.
 Councillor David Noakes, Southwark Council’s Executive Member for Health and Adult Care, said:
“Abuse can be physical or sexual but it can be psychological or emotional too; such as the threat of being put into a home or denied acc0ess to grandchildren.
The message is that if you’re suffering abuse of any kind, you’re not alone. We want to encourage all Southwark residents to take a stand against abuse. Whether you work with older people or have friends or neighbours who might be vulnerable, help us by looking out for them and reporting signs of abuse.”
Richard Walker, a Southwark resident with mild learning disabilities, who speaks regularly on the subject of elder abuse, said:
“People with learning disabilities must be respected in their homes, in the community and on the streets. That’s the way to stop abuse.”
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is also widespread ranging from demands for handouts to the theft of someone’s life savings. Approximately 50 per cent of known cases of financial abuse involve a member of the victim’s family or a close friend or neighbour.
If you are being abused or you think someone is being abused, please call the Southwark Council’s Social Services Hotline on 0845 600 1287.
In cases of abuse of elderly people, the signs to look out for range from physical injuries such as cuts, wounds and black eyes to weight loss, broken glasses and soiled clothing.
View details of the forms of vulnerable adults abuse
Campaign distribution
- Articles will be published in 'Southwark Life', which is distributed to 120,000 homes throughout the borough.
- The campaign will feature in press coverage by the BBC over the next couple of weeks and community TV from December 22.
- Our partners, such as KCH, GSTT, SLAM and Southwark Carers, will be featuring the campaign in their January newsletters.
- Flyers have been distributed to one stop shops, GP practices and housing offices in Southwark.
Further information
Contact us
Safeguarding adults partnership team
Tel: 020 7525 1754
Fax: 020 7525 1711
safeguardingadultscoordinator@southwark.gov.uk
Mabel Goldwin House
49 Grange Walk
London
SE1 3DY
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