Staying Safe
BHT Sussex views abuse, neglect, self-neglect, hate crime, extremism and terrorism as extremely serious and is committed to exposing, investigating and addressing these problems.
If you or another person is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you think a crime has taken place, but it is not an emergency, phone Sussex Police on 101. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the textphone service 18000 or text 999 if you have pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.
How do I report abuse, neglect and self-neglect?
Telling someone about abuse, neglect or self-neglect is known as “Raising a Safeguarding Concern”.
Safeguarding is the term used to describe protecting someone’s right to live in safety, and free from abuse and neglect.
Adult Abuse occurs when someone misuses their power or control over another person aged 18 or over, causing harm or distress. The abuser could be in a close relationship with the adult at risk. They could be someone the adult at risk depends on and trusts. Adult abuse includes physical abuse, domestic violence or abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial or material abuse, modern slavery, discriminatory abuse, organisational abuse, neglect or acts of omission, and self-neglect.
Child Abuse is when a child is harmed by an adult or a child either in person or online. Child abuse can take the form of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation (FGM), child criminal exploitation (CCE), child sexual exploitation (CSE), child trafficking & modern slavery, or bullying and can be a one-off action or can continue over a longer period of time.
If you are a client or tenant and experiencing abuse or neglect, or you are worried about someone else, you can tell your support worker or housing officer about this or contact us at 01273 645400 or [email protected].
If you don’t want to tell anyone at BHT Sussex about this, or if you are not a client or tenant of BHT Sussex, you can raise a concern with the following organisations who will be able to help:
Brighton and Hove - Adults
01273 29 55 55
Brighton and Hove - Children
01273 29040
01273 335905 or 01273 335906 (Out of Hours)
East Sussex – Adults
0345 60 80 191
East Sussex – Children
01323 464222 (Mon-Thurs 8.30am-5pm and Fri 8.30am-4.30pm)
01273 335905 or 01273 335906 (Out of Hours)
West Sussex - Adults
01243 642121
033 022 27007 (Out of Hours)
West Sussex – Children
01403 229900 (Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm)
033 022 26664 (Out of hours)
What is a hate crime and how do I report it?
A hate crime is any incident/crime perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by prejudice or hate because of disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other perceived difference.
Someone using offensive language, someone posting abusive or offensive messages online or someone harassing you or someone else because of who you or they are, or who they think you or they are, is a crime.
What is modern slavery and how do I report it?
Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting.
Victims of modern slavery can be any age, gender, nationality and ethnicity. They are tricked or threatened into work and may feel unable to leave or report the crime through fear or intimidation. They may not recognise themselves as a victim.
You can report Modern Slavery as a Safeguarding Concern or by contacting The Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 0800 0121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
101 Non-emergency Sussex Police
999 Emergency call
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use Sussex Police textphone service 18000 or text 999 if you have pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.
Should you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
What if I have concerns about terrorism or extremism?
If you are concerned that an individual or a group of people may be vulnerable to being drawn into extremist or terrorist related activity, such as thinking or preparing to travel to join a conflict or a proscribed group ,or getting involved with extremist groups, you can report your concerns to:
0800 789 321 Anti-Terrorist Hotline
101 Non-emergency Sussex Police
999 Emergency call
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use Sussex Police textphone service 18000 or text 999 if you have pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.
0800 555 111 Crime Stoppers (Anonymous):
If you want to report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos you’ve found on the internet, you can make your report anonymously here.
