The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 defines Harm as physical, psychological, financial, neglect and self-harm but this is not exhaustive.
It is therefore recognised that there are a wide spectrum of both Harm and wider safeguarding themes and you can find out more about these below.
Cuckooing and county lines
For information visit National Crime Agency - County Lines.
Financial harm
Scammers are always developing new scams to meet the new environment we find ourselves in. Many scams are online, distributed by test or email but they also come by mail or rogue doorstep callers.
If you think you have been targeted or the victim of a scam please contact the Trading Standards Service on 01563 576790 (Option 5) or email tradingstandards@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Find out more about scams and what to look out for at on our Trading Standards page.
Fire safety
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Supporting Fire Safety in the Home - A Carers' Guide is a useful guide for carers/family when supporting a loved one.
To arrange a Home Fire Safety Visit contact Scottish Fire and Rescue via the following methods:
Gender based violence and domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner or ex-partner. More information can be found on our domestic abuse page.
In addition the following schemes are available to support those finding themselves at risk of domestic abuse:
Hate crime
The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 provides for statutory aggravations for crimes motivated by malice and ill will towards an individual based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability. Where offences are proven to be as a result of such malice or ill-will, the court must take that into account when determining sentence. The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 further strengthened statutory aggravations for racial and religiously motivated crimes.
Hate Crime involves any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic. Hate crime can be motivated by disability, gender identity, race, religion or faith and sexual orientation.
Central Advocacy partners have developed an Easy Read Guide to Disability Hate Crime.
Third party reporting
Police Scotland are keen to promote the use of Third Party Reporting.
In some cases victims/witnesses of Hate Crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to the Police and may be more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with.
To ensure all victims/witnesses are able to report Hate Crimes, Police Scotland works in partnership with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of Third Party Reporting Centres.
Staff within Third Party Reporting Centres have been trained to assist a victim or witness in submitting a report to the Police and can make such a report on the victim/witnesses behalf.
Look for this sign
Hoarding
A Hoarding Disorder is where someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner, usually resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter.
The items can be of little or no monetary value. Many do realise they have a problem but are reluctant to seek help because they feel extremely ashamed, humiliated or guilty about it.
It's really important to encourage a person who is hoarding seek help, as their difficulties discarding objects can not only cause loneliness and mental health problems but also pose a health and safety risk. The Supporting People Affected by a Hoarding Disorder Ayrshire Wide Guidance (PDF 7.84Mb) provides some useful information and contacts.
Suicide prevention
Suicide is one of the main causes of death among people in Scotland today, with two people dying by suicide each day. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy. Most people contemplating suicide may not want to die; they want to stop the pain and difficulties they are suffering at the time.
You can find out more and access help on our suicide prevention page or visit the United to Prevent Suicide website.
Trafficking
Human Trafficking is the movement of adults, children and young people into and within countries with the intention of exploiting them. More information can be found on our Human Trafficking page or visit the UK Government's Support for Victims of Human Trafficking page.