400 adult abuse cases probed in Renfrewshire

A NEW report has lifted the lid on the appalling abuse being suffered by vulnerable adults – with a shocking 400 cases investigated by protection workers in Renfrewshire over the past year alone.

The alarming figures, which show that many adults are being physically, emotionally and financially abused by those closest to them, were released yesterday by bosses at Renfrewshire Council.

Over the past 12 months, a total of 398 cases of sexual abuse, neglect, self-harm and bullying of vulnerable adults were investigated by the Renfrewshire Adult Protection Committee after tip-offs from the police.

In many of the cases, the alleged perpetrator was a close relative, partner or spouse.

Around 100 of the cases have been forwarded to care agencies and health professionals under the Adult Support and Protection Act in a bid to protect victims and prevent further abuse.

Tomorrow, hundreds of protection specialists will gather at Paisley Town Hall for a special conference.

The event will put the problem of abuse of vulnerable adults under the microscope.

Councillor Eileen McCartin, convener of Renfrewshire’s community and family care policy board, told the Paisley Daily Express: “There is absolutely no excuse for abuse and Renfrewshire Council has consistently been at the forefront of protecting adults.

“We have worked closely with the Scottish Government on raising awareness amongst the public about why adults need to be protected and launched our widely-praised Uncomfortable Reading campaign in September.”

Experts at the Act Against Harm conference being staged in Paisley tomorrow will be told about the procedures adopted by police officers attending incidents who identify potentially vulnerable adults at risk of serious harm.

That information is then passed onto the relevant partner agency to provide care and support.

Tim Huntingford, the independent chair of Renfrewshire’s Adult Protection Committee, added: “One of the most important factors in protecting vulnerable people is for all the agencies involved to share information and to work together.

“The breadth of organisations represented at this conference demonstrates the high level of collaboration that exists in Renfrewshire between the agencies tasked with protecting vulnerable people.

“Over 60 per cent of the adult protection cases that are referred to the council’s social work service come from Strathclyde Police.

“This conference is another example of our commitment to protecting our vulnerable people and acting against harm.”