The Inaugural International Adult Safeguarding Conference at Trinity College Dublin will discuss the urgent need for legislation and better practices to protect vulnerable adults.

Members of the judiciary, financial sector, academia, Health Service Executive (HSE), advocacy groups, data protection organisations and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will come together to examine the urgency for legislation in Ireland amongst other issues.

It will be an opportunity to learn from international colleagues how best practice and research findings from around the world might be applicable to Ireland.

Amanda Phelan, professor in ageing and community nursing in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College said: “Safeguarding adults from abuse is a central and important responsibility of society. Ireland must do more.

“This conference highlights the need to create protective and intervention systems across sectors, introduce adult safeguarding legislation, and have a responsible agency that oversees adult safeguarding.”

She added: “At this conference, we have a unique opportunity to consider how other countries have addressed adult safeguarding. We will hear that approaches such as bespoke human rights-based legislation, comprehensive policy, and targeted education have increased societies’ capacity to safeguard adults who may be at risk.

“In this context, Ireland has a duty to act and introduce comprehensive systems to empower and safeguard all citizens.”

The conference takes place at the Trinity’s School of Nursing and Midwifery on Friday 27 October 2023.