Organisational Abuse

Abuse of power in care homes, hospitals and a variety of other institutions often comes from those entrusted most to provide care. It can stem from inflexible and non-negotiable policies, systems and routines that override the needs of those they are created to help, or they are let down by the people that are there to care for them.

When an institution compels individuals to sacrifice their preferred lifestyle and cultural diversity to the needs of that institution, by for example, requiring everyone to eat together at specified times, limiting bathing to times to suit staff, not providing doors on toilets, the institution could be abusing its power over individuals.

Signs of organisational abuse might include:

• Lack of respect shown to individuals
• Lack of adequate physical care, an unkempt appearance
• Sensory deprivation, for example denial of use of spectacles or hearing aids
• Denial of visitors or phone calls
• Restricted access to toilet or bathing facilities
• Restricted access to appropriate medical or social care
• Failure to ensure appropriate privacy or personal dignity
• Lack of flexibility and choice, for example mealtimes and bedtimes, choice of food
• Lack of personal clothing or possessions

Organisational abuse violates the person’s dignity and represents a lack of respect for their human rights. The emotional distress that organisational abuse can cause has an effect on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing, which often goes into decline.