If you are concerned about someone’s safety or welfare, or have suspicions that something isn’t right, it is important that you take action.
You can do so through the following means:
- taking action to protect their safety and welfare
- reporting information and suspicions to the police – this will assist their efforts to tackle exploitation
- offering ongoing support and signposting to other support services
If you are uncertain about whether to take action, please consider the following:
- you do not need to be confident or certain that someone is being exploited – concerns over safety or welfare, or suspicions that something is wrong, are enough grounds for taking action
- being proactive is key – taking action will prevent someone from becoming more vulnerable or from experiencing further harm, and will ensure they receive help quickly
- it is important to take action even if this might involve stepping outside of your immediate job role – for example, a doctor treating someone’s physical health should take action if they notice signs of exploitation
- people may be reluctant to engage with support services – they may fear the repercussions of disclosing; feel suspicious of authority figures; feel they will not be believed; or feel unable to leave their situation.
- people’s reluctance to engage with support services should not prevent you from taking steps to safeguard and support them
- – they may fear repercussions of receiving support; feel suspicious of authority figures, fear that they will not be believed. Someone’s reluctance should not prevent you from taking steps to safeguard and support them
- remember that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and everyone has the right to be safe and protected from harm.