The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 defines a vulnerable adult as follows:

"A person is vulnerable in the context of the setting in which they are situated or the service they receive as follows:

• those in residential accommodation provided in connection with care or nursing or in receipt of domiciliary care services;
• those receiving health care; those in lawful custody or under the supervision of a probation officer;
• those receiving a welfare service of a prescribed description or direct payments from a social services authority;
• those receiving services, or taking part in activities, aimed at people with disabilities or special needs because of their age or state of health;
• those who need assistance in the conduct of their affairs.

"A person’s level of vulnerability may increase or decrease according to the circumstances they experience at any given time. Vulnerable adults could include people with:

• learning or physical disabilities;
• a sensory impairment;
• mental health needs;
• who are HIV positive;
• substance misuse needs;
• dementia.

"Abuse is a violation of a person’s human and civil rights by another person or persons" (No Secrets, DoH 2000).

"Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to or exploitation of the person subjected to it." (No Secrets, DoH 2000).