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Cognitive impairment and exploitation: connecting fragments of a bigger picture through data

Abubakar, Aisha M; Seymour, Rowland G; Gardner, Alison; Lambert, Imogen; Fyson, Rachel; Wright, Nicola

Cognitive impairment and exploitation: connecting fragments of a bigger picture through data Thumbnail


Authors

Rowland G Seymour



Abstract

Background
Exploitation poses a significant public health concern. This paper highlights ‘jigsaw pieces’ of statistical evidence, indicating cognitive impairment as a pre- or co-existing factor in exploitation.

Methods
We reviewed English Safeguarding Adults Collection (SAC) data and Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) from 2017 to 22. Data relevant to exploitation and cognitive impairment were analysed using summary statistics and ‘analysis of variance’.

Results
Despite estimates suggesting cognitive impairments may be prevalent among people experiencing exploitation in England, national datasets miss opportunities to illuminate this issue. Although SAC data include statistics on support needs and various forms of abuse and exploitation, they lack intersectional data. Significant regional variations in recorded safeguarding investigations and potential conflation between abuse and exploitation also suggest data inconsistencies. Increased safeguarding investigations for people who were not previously in contact with services indicate that adults may be ‘slipping through the net’. SARs, although representing serious cases, provide stronger evidence linking cognitive impairment with risks of exploitation.

Conclusions
This study identifies opportunities to collect detailed information on cognitive impairment and exploitation. The extremely limited quantitative evidence-base could be enhanced using existing data channels to build a more robust picture, as well as improve prevention, identification and response efforts for ‘at-risk’ adults.

Citation

Abubakar, A. M., Seymour, R. G., Gardner, A., Lambert, I., Fyson, R., & Wright, N. (2024). Cognitive impairment and exploitation: connecting fragments of a bigger picture through data. Journal of Public Health, 46(4), 498-505. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae266

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 13, 2024
Online Publication Date Oct 2, 2024
Publication Date 2024-12
Deposit Date Oct 10, 2024
Publicly Available Date Oct 10, 2024
Journal Journal of Public Health
Print ISSN 1741-3842
Electronic ISSN 1741-3850
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 4
Pages 498-505
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae266
Keywords disabilities, safeguarding, modern slavery, exploitation, cognitive impairment, learning, adults, mental health, services, England
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40290582
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/46/4/498/7808369