PCI Adult Safeguarding (ROI) Procedures
12: Glossary of definitions
Chapter 12:
The policies and procedures for safeguarding in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland are written so that they are accessible to as many as possible.
They are written in ‘layman’s terms’ as much as we are able to ensure that all can engage as closely as possible with the ethos and values of our approach.
The policy and procedures are written in line with, and under the spirit of, the regional legislation of ROI, human rights approaches and other good practice guidance.
Reference: Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse – National Policy and Procedures
Adult abuse
Abuse may be defined as ‘any act, or failure to act, which results in a breach of a vulnerable person’s human rights, civil liberties, physical and mental integrity, dignity or general well-being, whether intended or through negligence, including sexual relationships or financial transactions to which the person does not or cannot validly consent, or which are deliberately exploitative. Abuse may take a variety of forms.’ Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities. Dublin, 2013
‘This definition excludes self‐neglect which is an inability or unwillingness to provide for oneself. However, the HSE acknowledges that people may come into contact with individuals living in conditions of extreme self‐neglect. To address this issue the HSE has developed a specific policy to manage such situations.’ Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse National Policy and Procedures
Abuse is the misuse of power and control that one person has over another. It can involve direct and indirect contact and can include online abuse.
Abuse is described in regional policies under the following terms:
- Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.
- Sexual abuse includes rape and sexual assault, or sexual acts to which the vulnerable person has not consented, or could not consent, or to which he or she was compelled to consent.
- Psychological abuse includes emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
- Financial or material abuse includes theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
- Neglect and acts of omission includes ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
- Discriminatory abuse includes ageism, racism, sexism, abuse that is based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
- Institutional abuse may occur within residential care and acute settings including nursing homes, acute hospitals and any other in‐patient settings, and may involve poor standards of care, rigid routines and inadequate responses to complex needs.
Abuse can happen anywhere, for example, in someone’s own home, within day care, residential care, nursing care or other institutional settings, at work or in educational settings, in church property at church organisations, or in public.
Anyone can be an abuser. Kirk Sessions, staff and volunteers must be aware that those who cause harm come from all sections of society, all professions and all races and can be male or female, of any age.
As painful as it may be, we must remain open to the fact that people may join our congregations and become trusted parts of our church communities in order to get easier access to abuse people. In our situation we must remain aware abusers can also be, for example, those in positions of leadership and trust including Elders, Presbyterian Women (PW) leaders or any others.
Familial Abuse – Abuse of a vulnerable person by a family member.
Professional Abuse – Misuse of power and trust by professionals and a failure to act on suspected abuse, poor care practice or neglect.
Peer Abuse – Abuse, for example, of one adult with a disability by another adult with a disability.
Stranger Abuse – Abuse by someone unfamiliar to the vulnerable person.
Vulnerable Persons – In the context of the Republic of Ireland, a vulnerable person is defined as an adult who is restricted in capacity to guard himself/herself against harm or exploitation or to report such harm or exploitation. This restriction may arise from physical or intellectual impairment, and the risk of abuse can be influenced by both context and individual circumstances (www.HSE.ie).
Statutory Authorities – In the Republic of Ireland, this refers to Garda, HSE and Tusla.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (‘the denomination’) is part of the universal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. As such, He is the King and Head of the Church. It consists of congregations of persons who are associated for the administration and observance of ordinances according to the Bible, under a common government. It was established in 1840 with the coming together at that time of different strands of Presbyterianism, and has congregations across the island of Ireland.
The Minister, also known as teaching Elder, exercises oversight of the church in conjunction with the ruling Elders. The special calling of the Minister is the ministry of the Word, in public and in private, the conduct of public worship, the administration of the sacraments, the instruction of the young and the pastoral care of souls. The Minister’s calling is exercised in the service of others. The Minister is not an employee, but a remunerated, called office-holder in the Church.
The Presbytery is primarily responsible for corporate oversight of the congregations and causes assigned to it by the General Assembly, and of the Ministers and Elders connected with it, and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom generally within the geographical area for which it is responsible. The Presbytery shall observe the laws and directions of the Assembly and, so far as lies within its powers, ensure that those subject to its jurisdiction and within its fellowship do likewise. There are 19 Presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Elders, also known as ruling Elders, acting together as the Kirk Session, work together with the Minister (teaching Elder) in the oversight and government of the congregation, for the upbuilding of God’s people in spiritual fruitfulness and holy concord, and for the extension of Christ’s kingdom among all people.
The Clerk of Presbytery is appointed by the Presbytery from among the Ministers or ruling Elders under its jurisdiction, and is responsible for the administration of the Presbytery, especially the recording of minutes of the meetings of Presbytery in a minute book kept by the Presbytery for that purpose and for the safe custody of the minute books of the Presbytery and its other records.
The Clerk of the General Assembly is appointed by the General Assembly as one of its officers. The Clerk of Assembly is responsible for the administration of the Assembly, especially the recording of minutes of the meetings of the Assembly. The Clerk of Assembly also acts as General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
The Moderator of Presbytery is a Minister who is a member of the Presbytery, and presides over the meetings of Presbytery as first among equals. The Moderator normally serves for one year.
The Kirk Session is the name given to the body of Elders [teaching and ruling] who together oversee and govern a congregation in its Christian calling. The Elders [teaching and ruling] are the charity trustees of the congregation. Each Kirk Session is under the immediate jurisdiction of the Presbytery.
GLOSSARY END
Useful Information
Adult Protection HSE
Dublin North, Dublin North Central, Dublin West – 01 6250447
Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath – 01 6914632
Kildare, West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, Dublin South West – 045 920410
Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin South East – 01 2164511
South Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford – 056 7784325
Kerry and Cork – 021 4923967
Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary and East Limerick – 067 46470
Galway, Roscommon and Mayo – 091 748488
Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan – 071 9834660
Regional Emergency Social Work Service
0800 1979 995
Emergency Response Garda
999
Non-Emergency Garda
112
PCI Central Safeguarding Team
+44 (0)28 9041 7237