Helpless Britons suffer abuse by carers

Tens of thousands of vulnerable people in Britain have been suffering physical and mental abuse by the very people who are responsible for taking care of them.

According to reports, the number of reported cases of abuse against vulnerable people, generally at the hands of carers or family, has soared by 23 percent or 21,000 in just a year since 2010-11.

Data obtaine in England found that there were a total of 130,000 cases of abuse reported to 121 local councils over the period.

Provisional figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) found that councils received 31,000 alleged abuse complaints, which were carried out by social care workers and 24,000 mostly physical attacks by family members followed by neglect and then financial abuse.

“The report addresses the distressing subject of when these adults are potentially being subject to abuse within our own society, seemingly often in their own home or within a care setting – and sometimes by somebody in a position of trust,” HSCIC chief executive Tim Straughan said.

The findings have been also described as scandalous by the Department of Health.

“We should consider it a scandal that not everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Where evidence or allegations of abuse are uncovered, swift and sure action should be taken by regulators or the police,” a spokeswoman said.