Call for new safeguarding agency to tackle abuse and exploitation of adults

Research published by Safeguarding Ireland revealed 30% of adults in Ireland had experienced financial abuse, or know someone who had experienced it.

The new government is being called on to set up an independent safeguarding authority to tackle harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults.

The call made by Safeguarding Ireland also wants such an authority to be fully equipped "with legislation and powers to coordinate safeguarding responses across all relevant sectors of society".

Last April, the Law Reform Commission published a set of recommendations relating to adult safeguarding, which included the establishment of a national safeguarding authority.

It also recommended four criminal offences of intentional or reckless abuse, neglect or ill-treatment of a relevant person; exposure of a relevant person to a risk of serious harm or sexual abuse; coercive control; and coercive exploitation of a relevant person, be introduced.

In making its recommendations, the commission noted high-profile cases, including the Áras Attracta and Emily cases, highlighted that statutory bodies currently had "limited ability to intervene where an at-risk adult is at risk of abuse or neglect".

Safeguarding Ireland was set up in the wake of the Áras Attracta scandal in 2014, when it emerged residents with disabilities were mistreated by staff at the Mayo facility.

The Emily case relates to the rape of an elderly woman by a staff member in her nursing home. The perpetrator received an 11-year prison sentence in 2020.

Safeguarding Ireland chairperson Patricia Rickard-Clarke also called for the establishment of an interdepartmental/interagency working group to work towards the enactment of a comprehensive statutory framework for assessing and meeting the care and support needs of at-risk adults.

The organisation also wants statutory obligation and permission for information-sharing between agencies in the public and private sector where there is a safeguarding concern.

It also wants the incoming government to include in its programme for government a strengthened role for the Central Bank in preventing and addressing financial abuse, as well as responsibilities for State payments providers and the Department of Social Protection.

Ms Rickard-Clarke said: "Financial abuse of adults at risk, perpetrated by people known to the victim, should be recognised as a distinct form of adult abuse."

The organisation also wants the broadening of the offence of coercive control to apply to all persons beyond intimate partner relationships.

Last November, research published by Safeguarding Ireland revealed 30% of adults in Ireland had experienced financial abuse, or know someone who hasd experienced it.

Those carrying out such abuse included family members, carers and neighbours, as well as social welfare agents or workers.

In 85% of cases where someone had been a victim of financial abuse, they knew their abuser.

In reply to a parliamentary question late last year, Junior Health Minister Mary Butler said a report arising from a public consultation on a national policy on adult safeguarding specifically in respect of the health and social care sector was being prepared by the Institute of Public Health.

She expected the policy proposals would be brought to government in early 2025, informed by the consultation process and the Law Reform Commission’s report.

The HSE recently launched a new helpline to help victims in Cork and Kerry. The helpline is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and gives people direct access to a HSE team at 1800 225 500.