In 1994, in a professional research journal whose
contributors were professional disabled people, I contributed an article on the
subject of subtle abuse. Re-reading that
article was interesting as today the statutory authorities have safeguarding
teams that comply with complex legislation and regulations. Safeguarding teams focus on serious alerts
raised by members of the public and those working in a variety of health and
social care settings, as well as other professional bodies such as the
police. Serious alerts usually focus on
abuse that causes serious physical harm, sexual abuse and those forms of abuse
that usually have outcomes that provide evidence.
The 1994 article looked at those intellectual and
emotional forms of abuse that often leave recipients in a state of depression
that may take many forms. The
perpetrators are immune to this form of abuse, it is common practice and people
on the receiving end are expected to be appreciative and continually grateful!
So what is meant by subtle abuse? It is, for instance, daily having meals interrupted with the
arrival of the medicine round. In the
middle of eating, people are expected to open their mouths while the pot
containing a variety of tablets are tipped into the mouth, often with no water
readily available.
Or when people have catheter
bags emptied, again during meal times or while people are enjoying the company
of visitors. Peoples’ conversations are
interrupted and wheelchair users have pushers coming up from behind and
whisking people away for a bath or some procedure, without as much as a word
being exchanged.
The list of issues that add to the constant daily abuse
that people tolerate, including patronising behaviour and language, goes
without so much as a challenge. It is
hard for a recipient to be assertive and speak out, if they are able to
articulate what they experience, particularly when they are in need of regular
support.
There is much that could be added to this article, apart
from the fact these issues are as relevant today as they were twenty years ago. We should all take responsibility for
tackling subtle abuse. The issue certainly
should have high priority on the health and wellbeing agenda.
Ann Macfarlane
August 2013
