Almost 8,000 cases of alleged abuse of adults were reported to the HSE last year, new figures have shown.

This marks the first time that annual figures for reported abuse of adults have been recorded. A total of 7,884 allegations were made during 2016 and these included different types of abuse, such as physical, sexual and financial abuse.

When it came to those aged between 18 and 64, physical abuse was the most commonly reported type of abuse (48%), followed by psychological abuse (24%) and sexual abuse (11%).

Among people over the age of 65, the most common type of abuse was psychological (27%), followed by physical (22%) and financial (21%).

The most likely source for reporting cases to the HSE came from representative voluntary agencies (38%), followed by general or public health nurses (26%). Just 4% of cases were reported by families, while only 2% of cases came from the victims themselves.

The figures have been released to coincide with a new nationwide campaign, aimed at increasing public awareness of what constitutes abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults, such as people with dementia, mental health problems or physical disabilities.

"There is a lack of public understanding as to what actually constitutes abuse and what safeguarding means for vulnerable adults who are those most at risk. This is shown in that families and individuals reported relatively few cases.

"This aim of the campaign is to show that taking money to cover care expenses without a person's knowledge, over medicating, or locking someone in a room while going out is not OK. These are abuses of people's liberties and rights, including vulnerable people who lack capacity," commented Patricia Rickard-Clarke, chairperson of the National Safeguarding Committee (NSC), which is spearheading the campaign.

She said that the figures relating to financial abuse were a ‘particular area of concern' are most likely ‘just the tip of the iceberg'.

"Once permission to manage a vulnerable person's money is handed over to someone else, there is no monitoring as to how that money is then spent and allocated. The majority of people are honourable, but figures suggest that in up to 20% of cases, financial abuse occurs," she noted.

Also speaking about the campaign, the general manager of the HSE National Safeguarding Office, Tim Hanly, pointed out that many cases of adult abuse are ‘subtle and even unintended', as some people are not even aware of what constitutes abuse.

"We are hopeful that the NSC-led campaign will inform people to consider more carefully the rights, liberties and safeguarding of vulnerable adults," he commented.

The campaign has been informed by a nationwide survey, which was carried out earlier this year. It found that that physical abuse of vulnerable adults has been suspected or witnessed by one-third of adults and a similar number of adults have experienced emotional abuse.

However, the survey also found that there was a lack of clarity over where to report adult abuse.

A dedicated support number has been established by the HSE National Safeguarding Office to advise members of the public about this issue. Call (061) 461 358.

More information is also available at safeguardingcommittee.ie