The Big Question

Should protection of vulnerable adults be put on the same statutory footing as child protection?

Jean Stogdon – Grandparents Plus
Adults can be in vulnerable situations, particularly the ones in institutions like residential care and who may not receive visitors. Also at risk are those who move into the home of their son or daughter to avoid selling their own house to pay for care. The motive may be to save their inheritance rather than to care for the parent.

Angie Lawrence – Single mother
Vulnerable adults have the same right to be protected from abuse as children. This will not be possible until legislation stipulates clearly the acceptable standards of care and the measures that must be taken when these standards are not met. Spot checks need to be carried out, and public awareness of this kind of abuse needs to be raised to assist in its prevention.

Len Smith – Gypsy activist
Yes. Many vulnerable adults are less likely to inform on their abusers than children in case their care is withdrawn. They need to know that it is safe to report abuse, that they do not have to put up with it and that abusers will not be around them any longer. A statutory scheme will increase in effectiveness as informed people begin to access care.

Joan Scott – Inspired Services
There should be more protection for adults who are being abused and social services should put more resources into it. But you have to be careful. You can take children into care but you can’t do that with adults – the only place they can go is the old-fashioned long-stay hospitals and I’m dead against those. These people need help, not to be shoved away and forgotten about.