Play your part in public protection – join our alliance against harm

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Within our communities there are people who are at risk of harm. These could be our friends, family, neighbours, customers or clients. They won’t all be able to seek help by themselves.

You see – public protection is everyone’s business. They need people like you and me to step up and be there for them.


It’s time to act against harm. Make a public protection pact to ensure that there is zero tolerance of harm against any member of East Ayrshire’s communities.

We want people who live, visit and work in East Ayrshire to join a proactive community that does not tolerate harm. This involves:

To learn more about harm and how to report it, visit our adult support and protection webpages.


Everyone has a role in protecting people, let's all stand up to harm.


Are you playing your part to make sure East Ayrshire is free from harm? Let's us know!



Within our communities there are people who are at risk of harm. These could be our friends, family, neighbours, customers or clients. They won’t all be able to seek help by themselves.

You see – public protection is everyone’s business. They need people like you and me to step up and be there for them.


It’s time to act against harm. Make a public protection pact to ensure that there is zero tolerance of harm against any member of East Ayrshire’s communities.

We want people who live, visit and work in East Ayrshire to join a proactive community that does not tolerate harm. This involves:

To learn more about harm and how to report it, visit our adult support and protection webpages.


Everyone has a role in protecting people, let's all stand up to harm.


Are you playing your part to make sure East Ayrshire is free from harm? Let's us know!



  • Types of harm

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    Harm is any harmful conduct.

    Some examples of this are:

    • Physical: hitting, slapping, pushing, shaking, being locked in a room against your will
    • Psychological: threats of harm, being isolated, humiliation, intimidation, causing distress, verbal abuse, bullying, blaming, constant criticism, controlling, depriving contact with others
    • Neglect/Self-Neglect: failure to provide or access medical or physical care, access to a doctor or other services the person may need, denying someone medication, food or heating, privacy or dignity
    • Self-Harm: refusal to eat or drink, drug/alcohol misuse, cutting, burning, scalding or hitting parts of own body, calculated and dangerous risk taking, banging head or other parts of the body, swallowing harmful substances, overdosing
    • Financial: stealing, fraud, pressure to hand over or sign over property or money, misuse of property or welfare benefits, or stopping someone getting their money or possessions
    • Sexual: any sexual activity that a person doesn’t understand and/or want, which includes contact that is made through social media


  • Recognising harm

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    There are different ways to recognise when an adult is at risk of harm.

    These include:

    • someone might tell you they are being harmed, or make a comment which sounds like they could be experiencing harm
    • an unusual, unexplained or suspicious injury
    • unexplained loss of weight, increased confusion
    • someone may be frightened of a particular person
    • being unable to spend time alone with someone due to the insistence or presence of another
    • unexplained debts or having less money or assets

    Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it is best to tell someone - you may be the only person to notice.


  • Reporting harm

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    If the person is in immediate danger, dial 999

    Otherwise, contact your local social work services. They will take all of your concerns seriously.

    Social Work

    Ayrshire Urgent Care Service

    • (Social Work Out of Hours) 0800 328 7758


Page last updated: 11 Apr 2025, 03:32 PM