Sexual abuse

When an adult with care and support needs is forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities when they do not or cannot consent to this. This does not have to be physical contact and it can happen online. This includes romance scams and sextortion.

Non-reportable concerns

Examples of isolated incidents where no other similar concerns have been identified and that do not need to be reported as a safeguarding concern include:

Not committed by a Person in a Position of Trust (e.g., a professional, see Reportable concerns section), and:

• Incident of teasing or unwanted attention, either verbal or physical (but excluding genitalia), where the effect on the person is assessed to be minimal and no distress is caused.
• Incident of teasing or concerns of unwanted sexualised attention (verbal or by gestures) directed at one adult by another whether capacity exists, and where the effect on the person is assessed to have caused no injury or distress.

Whilst this may not be reportable under safeguarding, you may need to share the incident within your organisation to consider any other action needed.

Concerns requiring consultation

More serious incidents will require internal consultation, through relevant organisational policies and procedures and senior leadership as well as potentially through the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures and other organisations being made aware.

Actions that should be considered to reduce risk include:

• Complaints or disciplinary processes.
• Increased monitoring and oversight for specified period.
• Share information with the ICB Quality Team and/or the CQC.
• Share information with Sussex Police.

Examples that require external consultation with the relevant Adult Social Care department, and may lead to a safeguarding concern needing to be submitted, include:

• Non-contact sexualised behaviour which causes distress to the person at risk.
• Verbal sexualised teasing or harassment.
• Being subject to indecent exposure where the person does not appear to be distressed.
• Where there is harm or risk of harm move directly to 'Red'.

Reportable concerns

Serious incidents need to be formally raised as a safeguarding concern with the local authority Adult Social Care department. Consideration should also be given as to whether the police or other emergency services need to be contacted. Professional curiosity is important and a Think Family approach if children or other adults may be impacted.

In these cases, it is important that you consider additional actions to contacting the local authority. These include:

• RAISE SAFEGUARDING CONCERN
• If there is an indication a criminal act has occurred, the police must be consulted.
• Immediate safety plans must be implemented, including the preservation of possible forensic evidence.

Examples of reportable concerns include:

• Any concerns about a Person in a Position of Trust.
• Concerns around grooming or sexual exploitation either in-person or online (e.g., made to look at sexually explicit material against their will or where consent cannot be given).
• Any sexual act or behaviour without valid consent or where there is pressure to consent.
• Contact or non-contact sexualised behaviour which causes distress, such as sexting or revenge porn.
• Any sexual violence or activity within a relationship characterised by authority, inequality, or exploitation, e.g., receiving something in return for carrying out sexual act.
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - for females under 18 contact Children’s Services.