The High Authority for Health (HAS) publishes two new guides to identifying and preventing abuse

“ Assessment of risk of domestic abuse of adults in vulnerable situations ”

This first guide aims to identify and analyze situations of vulnerability among adults. It provides tools to assess the risks of domestic abuse on vulnerable people and the scope for identifying the risk assessment of abuse.

Professionals and stakeholders working with vulnerable people are encouraged to take a systematic approach to:

• characterize the person's state or situation of vulnerability;
• detect signs of abuse;
• and assess the family environment.

The guide offers locating grids adapted to the different categories of abuse:

• elder abuse;
• domestic violence;
• child abuse of parents.

Each grid is accompanied by practical cases illustrating the necessary evaluation and support steps. The first assessment grids help identify strong vigilance, warning signs, and risk and protective factors that may influence an individual’s situation.

The guide stresses in particular the need toto inform victims their rights and possible remedies, while educating witnesses and caregivers about their critical role in the process of identifying abuse.

“ Benevolent treatment and management of signals of maltreatment in institutions ”

This second guide targets the abuse of vulnerable adults, including older adults and people with disabilities. This guide emphasizes the importance of respecting the dignity and rights of users while considering the specificities of their needs. It calls for the vigilance of healthcare professionals and provides advice on how to properly report these situations to the competent authorities.

Anyone may be affected by a situation of abuse. Abuse is multifactorial and can be caused by

• work organization (institutional abuse);
• failure to equip or maintain infrastructure;
• or inadequate professional posturing.

The guide on good treatment and the management of signs of ill-treatment in institutions recalls the principles of good treatment by emphasizing the importance of listening to, respecting the dignity and autonomy of the people received. The guide provides strategies to identify signs of abuse and educate staff about behaviors and attitudes that could harm residents. It also includes protocols for reporting incidents of abuse, as well as ongoing training for staff to strengthen their capacity to act. The goal is to create a culture of care that protects vulnerable individuals and improves the quality of care in institutions.

The publication of these guides aims to raise awareness among health professionals, prevent abuse and effectively protect the most vulnerable.