Abuse is the term used to describe how vulnerable adults are significantly harmed. Vulnerable people are mainly abused by the people they know and trust. Abuse may happen at home within the family or within a public environment.
Abuse can happen to anyone, but some adults are more “at risk” of abuse or neglect because they are more vulnerable.
A person is defined as an “adult at risk” if they are:
- 18 years or older
- In need of care and support (whether or not they get any) because of their age, disability, illness, mental health needs, drug or alcohol misuse and
- As a result of their care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from harm
