Types of adult abuse
Abusers can be someone a person knows, like a partner, family member or caregiver. They can also be a stranger.
In Oregon, abuse includes:
|
Type of abuse |
What it includes |
|---|
Physical abuse
| Hurting someone's body, causing pain or injury
|
Verbal or emotional abuse
| Using hurtful, threatening words or actions
|
Neglect
| Not providing basic needs like food, health care and safety
|
Abandonment by a caregiver
| Leaving someone alone who needs care
|
Financial exploitation
| Stealing money, property, medicine or other belongings unfairly
|
Involuntary seclusion
| Keeping someone away from others against their wishes
|
Self-neglect
| When an adult can't care for or protect themselves
|
Sexual abuse
| Unwanted, unwelcomed or offensive sexual acts or words
|
Wrongful restraint
| Preventing someone from moving freely, such as locking them in, tying them up or misusing medicine
|
What to look for
It can be difficult to see the signs that an older adult is being abused or having their rights violated. Some people may not report abuse because they are afraid, embarrassed or unable to communicate due to memory loss or other issues.
Here are some signs to look for:
Type of abuse
| What to look for
|
|---|
Physical
| Unexplained injuries or physical signs of punishment or restraint, such as bruises, scars or burns
|
Emotional
| Depression, anxiety or changes in behavior
|
Neglect
| Preventable health problems like bedsores, or unclean living conditions
|
Abandonment
| An older adult who needs help being left alone without planning for their care
|
Sexual
| Changes in mood, becoming withdrawn or other physical signs
|
Financial
| Changes in banking or spending patterns
|
Source:
nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse/spotting-signs-elder-abuse
Frequently asked questions
Questions about reporting abuse
Anyone can and should report abuse if they think it might be happening. Abuse can be reported by anyone, including:
- The person being abused
- Their family or friends
- The people responsible for their care, either at home or in a care facility or adult foster home
- Anyone else in a position to observe or suspect it
When in doubt, it's always better to report it rather than risk allowing an abusive situation to continue — even if you have questions or are unsure whether someone is being harmed.
Call the Oregon SAFEline: 855-503-SAFE (7233).
If the person has been injured or is in immediate danger, call 911.
When a report is made, your local ODHS or county office that provides services to older adults and people with disabilities will:
- Review your report to decide if an investigation or protective services are needed.
- Tell you how Adult Protective Services will respond to your report and what they will do next.
- Provide help, including information and referrals.
All reports are confidential.
If an investigation is needed, an Adult Protective Services investigator will be assigned to the case to find out what happened and whether abuse, self-neglect, or another issue occurred. They will work with law enforcement if a potential crime was committed.
Learn more about reporting abuse.
Yes. You can report abuse anonymously and do not have to provide your name when making a report.
- State law protects your confidentiality and keeps your information private when you report abuse.
- You don’t even have to give your name, if you wish to remain anonymous.
- If you do identify yourself in making the report, your name and identity will not be shared unless you give permission, are a mandatory reporter or if the law requires it (for example, if there is a crime or a judge orders it).
No, you will not be required to share information about your LGBTQIA2S+ identity — or the LGBTQIA2S+ identity of the person being abused — as part of making a report or during any investigation of the reported abuse.
Reporting abuse is the right thing to do — and the law is on your side.
- Oregon law prohibits retaliation against individuals who report abuse. The identities of abuse reporters are protected and are confidential.
- Facility staff who report suspected abuse in good faith are legally protected from retaliation by their employer. No one can punish you for speaking up to protect others.
- If you see something, say something. You are protected.
If you believe you are experiencing retaliation, report it immediately to the team that licenses the type of facility where you work.
Residential care or assisted living
844-503-4773
Email
licensing.complaint@odhs.oregon.gov
Fill out an online form
Adult foster homes
866-449-1250
Email
apd.afhteam@odhs.oregon.gov
Nursing facilities
877-280-4555
Email
nf.licensing@odhs.oregon.gov
Mandatory reporters are people in the community who are required by law to make reports of abuse or neglect to authorities. This includes, but is not limited to, doctors, police, clergy members, nursing facility employees, contractors or volunteers of a nursing facility, home care workers, and ODHS employees. For adults living in a nursing facility, their family members, guardians, and legal counsel are also considered mandatory reporters.
The full list of mandatory reporters is found in Oregon Revised Statute 124.050.
Oregon law protects mandatory reporters. If you report suspected abuse in good faith, you are protected from civil and criminal liability.
Yes, you can get this information in other languages, large print, braille or other formats you prefer.
Here’s how:
Call Aging and People with Disabilities at 503-945-5811 or 800-282-8096
Email
centralaps@odhs.oregon.gov
For relay calls dial 711
Adult Protective Services (APS) serves all Oregon older adults (55+) and adults over the age of 18 who experience physical disabilities, regardless of income, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, heritage, immigration status or any other status. APS responds to all reports about older adults and adults with disabilities who may be experiencing abuse, self-neglect, or other safety concerns.
Questions about long-term care settings
Yes. Oregon law (Senate Bill 99) ensures specific rights for LGBTQIA2S+ residents and individuals living with HIV in licensed long-term care settings. Under this law, facilities cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status.
Residents have these rights (and others) to:
- Choose their roommates.
- Use the name and pronouns they prefer.
- Wear clothes that match their chosen gender identity.
- Access medical care, including gender-affirming treatments.
- Use restrooms and spaces where they feel comfortable and may associate with the people of their choosing.
Read more about Senate Bill 99.
If you suspect that someone’s rights are being violated in a long-term care setting facility, report it as soon as possible. Licensed long-term care settings include adult foster homes as well as assisted living, residential care and nursing facilities, including those that offer memory care.
Residential care, assisted living or memory care
844-503-4773
Email
licensing.complaint@odhs.oregon.gov
Fill out an online form
Adult foster homes
866-449-1250
Email
apd.afhteam@odhs.oregon.gov
Nursing facilities
877-280-4555
Email
nf.licensing@odhs.oregon.gov
When reporting, provide the facility name, details of the rights violations and any observations. Reports can be made anonymously and all reports are reviewed for investigation.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Questions about this campaign
The Respect Campaign is designed to raise awareness about the abuse experienced by LGBTQIA2S+ older adults, and of rights violations of LGBTQIA2S+ residents and/or those living with HIV in long-term care settings. The campaign is based on extensive community engagement by ODHS, a statewide survey and national data — all of which show that abuse of LGBTQIA2S+ older adults is more common than in the general population of older adults, but also less likely to be reported.
The campaign is intended to address the under-reporting of abuse as well as concerns about confidentiality, discrimination, homophobia and the fear of being treated differently — barriers that often prevent individuals from reporting abuse.
We understand and respect that language around identity and inclusion continues to evolve. LGBTQIA2S+ — representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit and other identities — is an inclusive term and recognizes a broader range of identities.
The terms used to describe gender identities and sexual orientations are constantly changing and not everyone agrees on what is the most inclusive acronym. ODHS is committed to updating the terms and acronyms it uses periodically and as needed to best represent the people we serve.
Resources
Support and reporting
Advocacy and legal support
Long-term care and quality assurance
Privacy and security: This page adheres to the privacy guidelines for Oregon.gov websites. No personally identifying data will be collected. For more information on data collection while browsing Oregon.gov sites,
see the Oregon.gov Terms and Conditions.