36% of adults who suffer abuse take no action - survey

A recent survey conducted by Safeguarding Ireland reveals that over one-third (36%) of adults who believe they are experiencing abuse fail to take any action, highlighting a significant issue in adult safeguarding. The survey, which polled 1,000 adults, also found that men are less likely to report abuse compared to women, with 68% of women reporting personal experience or witnessing abuse, compared to 58% of men.

Younger adults, particularly those aged 18-34, were more likely to report abuse, with 74% of this age group reporting involvement in abusive situations. The survey also identified a notable increase in online abuse, with 40% of respondents reporting it, along with psychological abuse, which was also experienced by 40% of respondents.

Coercive control was found in 32% of cases. The findings underscore the importance of reporting suspected abuse, with almost two-thirds (63%) of respondents either personally experiencing or witnessing abuse. The survey indicates that people are more likely to act when witnessing abuse affecting others compared to when they experience it themselves.

HSE Chief Social Worker Amanda Casey encouraged people to report abuse, emphasizing that reporting is crucial in adult safeguarding. The HSE has teams in each region and an online portal to facilitate reporting. Safeguarding Ireland Chair Patricia Rickard-Clarke called for greater awareness regarding reporting suspected abuse, noting that the actual number of reported cases may be much higher than the 15,000 cases reported to the HSE Safeguarding Office annually.