Healthwatch Greenwich worked in partnership with the Greenwich Safeguarding Adults Board and a range of community groups to deliver a co-designed safeguarding awareness programme. Groups included:
- women’s groups
- men’s groups
- faith groups
- culturally specific organisations
Residents reported both positive and challenging experiences. Many participants developed a broader understanding of abuse through the project, recognising forms of harm such as emotional, psychological and financial abuse that were previously less visible to them. Community leaders were identified as trusted sources of support and often the first people residents would approach when concerns arose.
However, many residents described significant barriers to seeking help. Low trust in statutory services, fear of consequences, concerns about confidentiality, immigration-related worries and the risk of damaging family or community relationships often discouraged people from reporting abuse. Financial abuse emerged as a particularly common and under-recognised form of harm.
The report recommends building trust within communities, supporting community leaders, creating non-escalatory advice pathways and embedding cultural humility across safeguarding services.
Read the report Return to the Insight Bank