Discriminatory abuse: time to revive a forgotten form of abuse?
The Journal of Adult Protection
ISSN: 1466-8203
Article publication date: 2 March 2022
Issue publication date: 26 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Discriminatory abuse has been a distinct category of abuse in safeguarding adults policy since 2000, but it is rarely used in practice, according to recent official statistics. As part of a larger project, the authors undertook a literature review to clarify the concept, explore reasons for low reporting and consider recommendations for practice. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of this literature review.
Design/methodology/approach
This literature review comprises 35 sources, which were identified using three academic databases, reference harvesting and sector-specific websites. Findings were developed through thematic analysis of the data.
Findings
The literature review demonstrates that definitions of discriminatory abuse stretch from an interpersonal emphasis in policy documents to a more structural approach. There are open questions about the status of discriminatory abuse as a category of abuse due to the complicated interface between discriminatory motivations and the abusive acts through which they are experienced. A range of factors can obscure its identification, particularly the hidden, stigmatised and normalised nature of discriminatory abuse. Some recommendations for practice are identified, but more work is needed to develop the practice vocabulary and required skills.
Originality/value
This study brings together existing research on discriminatory abuse to argue that it is time to revive this understanding of abuse and develop safeguarding practice with adults who have protected characteristics.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the members of the Care and Health Improvement Programme's advisory board on Discriminatory Abuse for their helpful comments while planning the article.
Citation
Mason, K., Biswas Sasidharan, A., Cooper, A., Shorten, K. and Sutton, J. (2022), "Discriminatory abuse: time to revive a forgotten form of abuse?", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-12-2021-0042
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited