Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

A vulnerable adult is a person over the age of 18, who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation.  This may be because they have a learning disability, physical disability, sensory impairment, are elderly and frail or have mental health problems.

If the safety or wellbeing of a person is in question, protection would be needed to ensure they are safeguarded from abuse or mistreatment.

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human rights and civil rights

by another person. The abuse maybe intentional or unintentional,

or the result of neglect. It can vary from the seemingly trivial act

of not treating someone with proper respect to extreme

punishment or torture.

There are many different types of abuse including:

Physical

Such as Physical assault, rough handling or unreasonable

physical restraint.

Sexual

Any non-consenting sexual act or behaviour such as forced marriage.

Psychological

Verbal and other behaviour that severely affects the well being of

an individual.

Financial

Stealing or misappropriation of funds or other action that is against

a person’s best interests.

Neglect

Neglecting a person’s physical or mental needs which impairs their wellbeing.

Discriminatory

Psychological abuse that is racist, sexist or linked to a person’s

age or disability.