West Dunbartonshire Council is again backing a hard-hitting TV campaign to highlight the plight of adults who suffer verbal, physical, sexual and financial abuse every day, often at the hands of their own families.
The advert will air on Monday 22 August and run until 31 August, with the aim of reaching out to the 2.3million adults who live in the STV Glasgow transmission area.
The adverts focus on financial abuse of the elderly, the day to day abuse suffered by adults with learning disabilities and how long term alcohol abuse can affect a person’s ability to look after themselves.
West Dunbartonshire Council’s Community Health and Care Partnership have worked tirelessly with Strathclyde Police to protect residents and have taken out 12 Banning Orders to protect adults who were at risk meaning abusers were banned from entering the homes of their victims.
Social Work and Police joined forces to protect a vulnerable man in West Dunbartonshire. The man had fallen victim to two people who posed as his friends, but were in reality taking his money, physically abusing him and frightening him into silence. Thankfully his neighbours reported their concerns to social work and action was taken to protect him.
Speaking of their experience, Social Worker, Gill McBride and Police Officer, Lynsey Galloway said protecting vulnerable members of the community is a top priority.
Lynsey said: “Keeping people safe is at the top of the agenda for Strathclyde Police. This is a good example of how working in partnership produces tangible results. The intervention of the neighbour of this vulnerable man played a vital role in allowing us to take steps to protect him. Without that call the outcome for this man may have been entirely different. “
Gill added: “Working with the police was interesting and challenging. Our foremost consideration was the client's safety and ensuring he was protected. Through careful planning and acting together we could do this and I was delighted to be part of such a collaborative approach”.
Keith Redpath, Director of Community Health and Care Partnership, said: “Adults can often find it difficult to ask for help but we hope this advertising campaign will help them understand they don’t have to tolerate abuse or mistreatment and that by contacting the Council they will get the help and support they need. It also encourages anyone with any concerns about someone they know to let us know about it, so that we can act."
The Council, along with 13 other local authorities commissioned the advert to raise awareness of the abusive situations faced by people with learning difficulties, the elderly and those with addictions and also urge members of the public to report any concerns they may have.
Councillor Ronnie McColl, Convenor of the Community Health and Care Partnership, said: “This campaign will raise public awareness of the many adults who suffer abuse, often at the hands of the people they trust most. Everyone should be reassured that help is available for either ourselves or for someone we may be concerned about.
Cllr McColl continued: “West Dunbartonshire Council is committed to protecting all vulnerable people in our communities and it is important that we support colleagues who work with vulnerable adults and make them aware of the signs of harm.”
The advert promotes a free hotline number 0300 777 6520 and website www.adultprotection.tv which people can use to get help or report concerns.
