IT’S your duty to help protect vulnerable adults, that’s according to a new campaign to raise awareness of abuse against the elderly.

West Sussex County Council are pushing for people to be vigilant of all adult abuse following World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which took place on Sunday.

The County Council Adults’ Service department is urging anyone who might have a concern to contact them immediately.

Peter Catchpole, Cabinet member for West Sussex Adults’ Services, said: “Speaking out isn’t always easy, but we all need to play our part in protecting vulnerable older people by being alert to the signals of someone being abused.

“It may not be easy to detect abuse but signs could include a change in behaviour with a person becoming more cowed, unkempt, dressed inappropriately and in extreme cases bruised or injured.”

If you have any concerns about your own, or anyone else’s safety, call the county council’s Adults’ CarePoint on 01234 642121.

Information leaflets are available in all West Sussex libraries throughout June. Alternatively, you can visit www.westsussexgov.uk and search ‘Safeguarding adults at risk’.