Hidden Harm, Abuse & Exploitation
Recognising Hidden Risks, Protecting Rights and Supporting Safer Communities
Not all abuse, exploitation and harm are immediately visible. Some forms of abuse can remain hidden for months or years, affecting
children, adults, older people, disabled people, families and entire communities.
This page provides information about forms of hidden harm, abuse and exploitation, how concerns can be reported, what legal
protections exist, and where support can be found.
This information is intended for general guidance only and does not replace professional legal, safeguarding, healthcare or social care
advice.
Understanding Hidden Harm
What is Hidden Harm?
Hidden harm refers to abuse, neglect, exploitation or criminal activity that may not be immediately obvious to others.
Victims may:
- Feel afraid.
- Be manipulated.
- Be dependent on the perpetrator.
- Not recognise abuse.
- Be unable to communicate concerns.
- Fear consequences of reporting.
Many victims require safeguarding, support and protection rather than blame.
Mate Crime
What is Mate Crime?
Mate crime occurs when someone befriends a vulnerable or disabled person with the intention of exploiting, abusing or taking advantage of them.
Examples include:
- Theft.
- Financial exploitation.
- Coercion.
- Sexual exploitation.
- Bullying.
- Criminal exploitation.
Support
Ann Craft Trust:
Learning Disability England:
https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk
Cuckooing
What is Cuckooing?
Cuckooing occurs when criminals take over a person's home to use for criminal activity.
Victims are often:
- Older people.
- Disabled people.
- People with mental health difficulties.
- People with addiction issues.
- Socially isolated individuals.
Warning signs may include:
- Frequent visitors.
- Increased anti-social behaviour.
- Property damage.
- Fearful behaviour.
- Unexplained changes in circumstances.
Crimestoppers
Financial Abuse
Financial Exploitation
Financial abuse may involve:
- Theft.
- Fraud.
- Coercion.
- Misuse of benefits.
- Pressure regarding property or wills.
- Misuse of Power of Attorney.
Action Fraud
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
Office of the Public Guardian
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian
Coercive Control
Understanding Coercive Control
Coercive control involves patterns of behaviour intended to dominate, isolate or control another person.
Examples may include:
- Monitoring communications.
- Restricting freedom.
- Threats.
- Intimidation.
- Financial control.
- Isolation from family and friends.
CPS Guidance
Domestic Abuse Information
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
Honour-Based Abuse
Honour-Based Abuse
Honour-based abuse refers to harmful acts committed to protect perceived family or community honour.
This may include:
- Violence.
- Threats.
- Forced marriage.
- Isolation.
- Coercion.
- Restrictions on personal freedom.
No culture, tradition or belief system justifies abuse.
Karma Nirvana
Helpline:
0800 5999 247
Forced Marriage
Forced Marriage
Forced marriage occurs when one or both people do not freely consent to the marriage and pressure, threats or abuse are used.
Forced marriage is illegal.
Forced Marriage Unit
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage
Telephone:
020 7008 0151
Stalking
Stalking and Obsessive Behaviour
Stalking may involve:
- Following someone.
- Monitoring activities.
- Repeated unwanted contact.
- Online surveillance.
- Tracking devices.
- Unwanted gifts.
National Stalking Helpline
https://www.stalkinghelpline.org
Telephone:
0808 802 0300
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Sextortion
What is Sextortion?
Sextortion is a form of blackmail involving sexual images, videos or content.
Offenders may:
- Threaten to share images.
- Demand money.
- Demand further images.
- Demand sexual acts.
Victims can be adults or children.
CEOP
Revenge Porn Helpline
https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Image-Based Abuse
Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images
Image-based abuse includes:
- Sharing intimate images without consent.
- Threatening to share images.
- Deepfake sexual content.
- Recording private images unlawfully.
Revenge Porn Helpline
https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Victim Support
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk
Elder Abuse
Abuse Affecting Older People
Elder abuse may include:
- Financial abuse.
- Neglect.
- Physical abuse.
- Emotional abuse.
- Coercive control.
- Discriminatory treatment.
Hourglass
Helpline:
0808 808 8141
Age UK
Self-Neglect
Understanding Self-Neglect
Self-neglect may involve:
- Poor hygiene.
- Unsafe living conditions.
- Refusal of essential care.
- Malnutrition.
- Lack of medical treatment.
Support should be respectful, person-centred and proportionate.
SCIE Self-Neglect Guidance
https://www.scie.org.uk/self-neglect
Hoarding
Hoarding and Safety Risks
Hoarding may create:
- Fire risks.
- Trip hazards.
- Health concerns.
- Access difficulties.
- Risks to emergency responders.
Hoarding often requires supportive multi-agency intervention rather than punishment.
Hoarding UK
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
Criminal Exploitation of Children
Children may be manipulated into:
- Drug supply.
- Theft.
- Violence.
- Transporting illegal items.
- County Lines activity.
Children involved should be considered potential victims of exploitation.
NSPCC
CEOP
Disability Hate Crime
Disability-Based Abuse and Crime
Disability hate crime occurs when someone is targeted because of disability.
Examples include:
- Harassment.
- Threats.
- Bullying.
- Assault.
- Online abuse.
True Vision
CPS Hate Crime Information
https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/hate-crime
Online Grooming
Grooming and Exploitation
Grooming occurs when someone builds trust in order to exploit or abuse another person.
It may happen:
- Online.
- Through gaming.
- Through social media.
- Through messaging platforms.
CEOP Safety Centre
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
County Lines
Criminal Exploitation Networks
County Lines refers to organised criminal groups using children and vulnerable adults to transport and sell drugs.
Victims may experience:
- Violence.
- Debt bondage.
- Threats.
- Sexual exploitation.
- Missing episodes.
Government Information
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/county-lines
Modern Slavery
Modern Slavery and Exploitation
Modern slavery may involve:
- Forced labour.
- Domestic servitude.
- Criminal exploitation.
- Sexual exploitation.
- Debt bondage.
Victims may be British nationals or foreign nationals.
Modern Slavery Helpline
https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
Telephone:
08000 121 700
Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting or controlling individuals for exploitation.
Victims may be trafficked for:
- Labour exploitation.
- Sexual exploitation.
- Criminal exploitation.
- Domestic servitude.
National Crime Agency Information
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
Radicalisation & Prevent
Preventing Radicalisation
Radicalisation occurs when a person is drawn into extremist beliefs that may support violence or terrorism.
Safeguarding concerns may involve:
- Children.
- Young people.
- Vulnerable adults.
The Prevent programme aims to safeguard people from being drawn into terrorism.
Prevent Information
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance
ACT Early
Missing Vulnerable Adults
When a Vulnerable Adult Goes Missing
Risk factors may include:
- Dementia.
- Mental health difficulties.
- Exploitation.
- Domestic abuse.
- Learning disabilities.
Do not wait 24 hours to report concerns.
Missing People
https://www.missingpeople.org.uk
Helpline:
116 000
Abuse in Care Homes
Safeguarding Within Care Settings
Abuse in care settings may include:
- Neglect.
- Poor care.
- Physical abuse.
- Emotional abuse.
- Financial abuse.
- Organisational abuse.
Concerns should be reported promptly.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Abuse by Carers
Abuse Within Caring Relationships
Most carers provide valuable support.
However, abuse may sometimes involve:
- Neglect.
- Financial exploitation.
- Emotional abuse.
- Physical abuse.
- Coercive control.
Safeguarding concerns should be assessed fairly and individually.
Institutional Abuse
Organisational and Institutional Abuse
Institutional abuse occurs when systems, policies or practices within organisations cause harm.
Examples may include:
- Poor care standards.
- Restrictive practices.
- Neglect.
- Discrimination.
- Failure to protect vulnerable people.
Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Learning Disability Safeguarding
Protecting People with Learning Disabilities
People with learning disabilities may face increased risks from:
- Mate crime.
- Financial abuse.
- Bullying.
- Exploitation.
- Communication barriers.
Support should be accessible and person-centred.
Mencap
Learning Disability England
https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk
Human Rights, Equality and Legal Protections
People affected by abuse or exploitation retain all of their legal and human rights.
Relevant legislation includes:
- Human Rights Act 1998.
- Equality Act 2010.
- Care Act 2014.
- Mental Capacity Act 2005.
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
- Children Act 1989.
- Children Act 2004.
- Modern Slavery Act 2015.
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
- Serious Crime Act 2015.
- Data Protection Act 2018.
Key rights include:
- Protection from abuse and exploitation.
- Respect for dignity and autonomy.
- Freedom from discrimination.
- Access to justice.
- Participation in decisions.
- Respect for private and family life.
- Fair treatment under the law.
Public authorities should act lawfully, fairly, proportionately and in accordance with safeguarding duties.
Reporting Concerns
Emergency
999
Police Non-Emergency
101
Crimestoppers
0800 555 111
NSPCC
0808 800 5000
CEOP
Action Fraud
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
Find Your Local Council
https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Important Notice
This website provides general information only and does not provide legal advice, safeguarding investigations, emergency services or crisis intervention.
If someone is in immediate danger call 999.
If you are concerned about abuse, exploitation, neglect or criminal activity affecting a child or adult, contact police, safeguarding services, social care, healthcare professionals or an appropriate support organisation.
Information should always be checked against official government, statutory and professional guidance as laws and procedures may change.