Vulnerability
To be 'vulnerable' is to be 'at risk of harm'
Anyone can be vulnerable to harm as a result of abuse or neglect at some time in their lives. Both men and women, rich and poor, and from any ethnic background can be at risk of being abused.
Abuse may:
- Happen anywhere
- Consist of a single act or repeated acts
- Be physical, verbal or psychological, or
- Occur when a person is persuaded to enter into a financial arrangement or sexual act which he or she has not or can not consent to
- Occur in any relationship and may result in serious harm to, or exploitation of the person subjected to it
- Not always be deliberate
- Often be a crime.
Definition
Some adults, often described as vulnerable adults, may be particularly at risk to abuse and may have a right to, or be entitled to help or support to help prevent or alleviate the impact of abuse. The broad definition of a vulnerable adult is a person:
“who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation”.
This could include:
- People with dementia
- People with learning disabilities
- People with mental health problems
- People with drug or alcohol problems
- People with sight, hearing or physical disabilities
- People who through age or illness are dependent on other people to help them
- People who care for others
Abuse may be perpetrated by anybody, although most commonly the abuser is well known to the victim, e.g. a friend, family member or carer, or a volunteer, paid carer or other care practitioner or professional e.g. care worker, social worker, nurse or doctor.
Abuse may also be perpetrated by someone who lives with the victim or shares a service with them e.g. another client at a care home or day service.
Remember: Abuse does not have to be deliberate or intentional. If a vulnerable person is frightened, harmed or placed at risk of harm either intentionally or unintentionally by another person then you have a duty to report it as abuse.
Further information
- No Secrets (.pdf format, 1.18Mb): Guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, Department of Health (2000).
- Elder Abuse: House of Commons Health Committee report, HMSO (2004) (.pdf format, 123Kb)
