REPORTED cases of adult abuse could be the tip of the iceberg, council chiefs have warned.

A new report out today, which looks at the work of Blackburn with Darwen Council's work with vulnerable adults, says the problem of abuse could be far more widespread.

Now the council is encouraging people to speak out about the abuse of vulnerable adults such as people with learning difficulties, disabilities or the elderly. And civic leaders are launching a new campaign to raise awareness of the issue.

The campaign was today being launched as the council's Adult Protection Committee (APC) presented its first annual report.

The study, which looks at work during the previous year to protect vulnerable adults, warns that the small number of abuse cases investigated is potentially 'the tip of the iceberg.'

Many more could be being ignored simply because people are unaware of the seriousness of adult abuse.

David Kerambrum, chairman of the APC, said: "While most people are aware of child abuse as an important issue, many do not realise that similar abuse could be happening to adults they know.

"Vulnerable adults, such as older people, people with physical or mental disabilities or people who are incapacitated by illness, can be open to abuse at times in their lives when dependant on others for aspects of their care.

"There is also the issue of financial abuse, when people's money or possessions are kept from them, misused or stolen."

The event was also seeing the unveiling of the committee's new logo, based on designs by students at Blackburn College and chosen by users of social services, which will feature on leaflets and posters being produced in the coming weeks.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, executive member for social services, said: "All the partners in the Adult Protection Committee are determined to confront this issue and protect those who are being abused and who are often the most vulnerable in our community.

"We want to make sure that abusers are exposed and stopped, or, where appropriate, given the correct help and support.

"However, raising people's awareness of adult abuse may take some time as many people refuse to accept it happens, as happens with child abuse.

"The launch of the first annual report and the unveiling of the logo is just the first step in delivering a strategy that we hope will mean that people in Blackburn and Darwen know about adult abuse and challenge it wherever it happens."

In addition to the information campaign, the APC will also be organising training to raise awareness of adult abuse issues in different communities and organisations.