Help is available if you are being harmed

Adults (16 years and over) may be at risk of harm due to:

• mental illness,
• old age,
• frailty or physical weakness,
• physical or learning disability,
• visual or hearing impairment.

Harm may be physical, emotional, sexual, financial or caused by neglect.

If you are affected by any kind of harm, abuse, exploitation or neglect, it is important to know that this is not your fault and there are ways to get help. It is vital that you talk to someone.

You can call any of the following numbers:

• Dumfries and Galloway Council - Social Work Single Access Point - 030 333 3001
• Police Scotland: 101
• Care Inspectorate: 0345 600 9527
• Police 999 in an emergency
• Out of Hours 030 333 3001
• Out of Hours email - outofhours@dumgal.gov.uk
• Access Team email - accessteam@dumgal.gov.uk 

Support from Hourglass

Hourglass provides the UK's only dedicated Helpline for those experiencing (or concerned about) the harm, abuse or exploitation of older people. The Helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. It's entirely confidential and free to call from a landline or mobile and will not appear on your phone bill.

The helpline number is 0808 808 8141

Follow the link to a list of additional support organisations from Hourglass resource

"Tell Someone" campaign

Tell Someone is a campaign created to raise awareness about Adult Support and Protection Act 2007. Find out more with the Tell Someone video and more information.

Financial harm

This might involve any of the following:

• Feeling under pressure to hand over money or possessions; 
• Exploitation of property or welfare benefits or stopping someone getting their money or possessions, stealing, cheating or fraud; or
• Being under pressure to re-write a will.

Find out more at the Act Against Harm Financial Harm webpage.

Financial Harm PDF (PDF, 224 KB)

Police Scotland: Scams and Frauds

Authorised push payment fraud reimbursement guidance (PDF, 1 MB)

Missing People with Dementia

The Herbert Protocol has been used many times to help police and other agencies quickly and safely locate missing people who have dementia. Find out more on the Police Scotland website.

Suicide

Help is available when you're feeling low - you don't have to hurt yourself or suffer in silence. If you're in crisis or struggling to cope, follow the link to find out more about services which can help:  Suicide | NHS inform