- What should I do if I suspect abuse or neglect?
- What happens if abuse or neglect is reported?
- What is the Adult Protection Act?
- How are abuse and neglect defined in the Adult Protection Act?
- Resources
What should I do if I suspect abuse or neglect?
If you think somebody is being abused or neglected, it is your legal obligation to report it. Failure to do so is an offence and can lead to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or one year imprisonment. If you suspect somebody is being abused or neglected, call toll-free 1-855-376-4957 or contact your local police.
You can report confidentially.
What happens if abuse or neglect is reported?
The situation will be reviewed by a social worker and, if appropriate, a plan will be put in place to protect the adult.
For more information visit: www.gov.nl.ca/cssd
What is the Adult Protection Act?
The Adult Protection Act is the law in Newfoundland and Labrador which protects adults who do not understand or appreciate the risk of abuse and neglect.
How are abuse, neglect and self-neglect defined in the Adult Protection Act?
Abuse is the deliberate mistreatment of an adult that causes or is reasonably likely, within a short period of time, to cause the adult (1) serious physical, psychological or emotional harm, or (2) substantial damage to or substantial loss of real or personal property, including financial assets. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, cultural, verbal, or financial.
Neglect is the failure to provide care, assistance, guidance or attention to an adult that causes, or is reasonably likely, within a short period of time, to cause the adult serious physical, psychological or emotional harm or substantial damage to or substantial loss of real or personal property, including financial assets.
Self-neglect is the failure of an adult to take adequate care of themself where that failure causes, or is reasonably likely, within a short period of time, to cause serious physical or psychological harm or substantial damage to or substantial loss of assets. Self-neglect can include (1) living in grossly unsanitary conditions; (2) suffering from an untreated illness, disease or injury that, within a short period of time is likely to cause physical or psychological harm; (3) suffering from malnutrition to the extent that, without intervention, the adult’s physical or mental health is likely to be severely impaired; and/or (4) creating a hazardous situation that will likely cause serious physical or psychological harm to the adult or others or cause substantial damage to or substantial loss of the adult’s real or personal property, including financial assets
Your call can be confidential.
1-855-376-4957