Cognitive impairment can include both developmental and acquired impairments. This includes but is not limited to: intellectual disability; dementia; brain injury; and autistic spectrum disorders.

27 per cent of the adult population of England – 12 million people - are living with a disability. Of these, 1.5 million have a learning disability, 1.6 million memory or cognition conditions, and 3.9 million with mental health conditions.

This new research from the University of Nottingham, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, provides the first robust description of the link between cognitive impairment and the exploitation of adults in England.

Previous studies on the topic have highlighted that cognitive impairment can increase vulnerability to exploitation, particularly sexual, financial and criminal exploitation.

The research team, led by Dr Alison Gardner at Nottingham Rights Lab, conducted statistical analysis, reviewed safeguarding reports, and undertook a survey and interviews with practitioners and people living with cognitive impairments to measure the scale of exploitation.

The new report suggests that financial exploitation and ‘mate crime’ (being exploited by someone posing as a friend) were the most commonly observed forms of exploitation, with 28% of practitioners responding to our survey witnessing exploitation at least once a week.

These more frequent forms of exploitation often co-occur alongside others, such as sexual, labour or criminal exploitation.

People living with cognitive impairment also identified ‘everyday exploitation’ as part of their regular experience, including issues like being targeted by phone and online scams.

One interviewee described being groomed online as ‘horrible because they were just using me but pretending they were my friends, but I couldn’t see it at the time. They drained all my money until there was nothing left basically.’

Researchers found that certain social factors, including trauma, isolation and the absence of family support, further increased the chances of exploitation, but the key factor was the presence of someone coercive or controlling.

People experiencing exploitation sometimes found it hard to access crucial support services, sometimes because they were not believed, or because they experienced discrimination or stigma.

Dr Alison Gardner, Associate Professor in Public Policy and Administration, said of the findings: “This report draws attention to an uncomfortable truth that adults with cognitive impairment are frequently targeted for exploitation. Crimes against them may go unrecognised, and they often struggle to get the help and support that they need.

We hope this research will start a new conversation on how government, frontline services and communities can work together more effectively to help bring this ‘everyday exploitation’ to an end.”

Following the report, Nottingham Rights Lab is making the following recommendations to the UK government to avoid further cases of exploitation of adults with cognitive impairment:

• Improve data collection of the links between cognitive impairment and exploitation

• Improve funding for advocacy organisations and voluntary groups who are doing essential work to help prevent exploitation

• Increase training for local safeguarding practitioners

• Conduct a full review into intervention powers and safeguarding measures

Dr Catherine Dennison, Welfare Programme Head at the Nuffield Foundation, said: “We are proud to have supported the first systematic exploration of how cognitive impairment can place vulnerable people at risk of exploitation.

“The team have brought together a wide range of material, crucially including the voices of those with experience of exploitation, to increase understanding. We would encourage those working nationally and locally to consider their recommendations to improve prevention, identification, and support.”

Eleanor Lyons, UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said: “It is only by understanding how people end up in exploitation, that we can prevent it and effectively tackle modern slavery. This research highlights a clear need for better data collation on how physical and mental impairments intersect with exploitation and improved safeguarding mechanisms.

Stuart Sale, CEO, Ann Craft Trust, said: “This research highlights the increased risks of exploitation faced by adults with a cognitive impairment.  Highlighting this is crucial and the Ann Craft Trust welcomes the recommendations set out in the report. 

“It is particularly pleasing to see that the research has taken the views and thoughts of adults with lived experience into consideration.  Identifying and developing practical tools that will help practitioners is an innovative and helpful way of affecting true change, and supporting those who are at increased risk of exploitation.”

The full report will be launched at a major conference for frontline professionals involved in safeguarding adults, organised by local charity the Ann Craft Trust, on Wednesday 20th November at Trent Conference Centre in Nottingham.

Story credits

More information is available from Dr Alison Gardner on alison.gardner@nottingham.ac.uk 

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