Definitions

The Adult Support & Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 defines an adult as an individual, aged 16 years or over.

Young people aged between 16-18years may be considered under either adult or child protection.

Persistent emotional maltreatment involving:

• Conveying that someone is worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person.
• Not being given opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate.
• Age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children.
• Seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another.
• Serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing someone to feel frightened or in danger.

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment, though it may occur alone.

Involves forcing or enticing someone to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex), or non-penetrative acts (for example masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching the outside of clothing).

Child sexual abuse and exploitation is when an individual/group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs/wants/for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator/facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. It does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology such as involving children in looking at sexual images or watching sexual activities. Further information is contained in Appendix 2.

Sexual abuse can be perpetrated by adult males, females and also other children.

The persistent failure to meet basic physical/psychological needs by not:

• providing adequate food, clothing and shelter
• protecting against physical and emotional harm or danger
• ensuring adequate supervision
• ensuring access to appropriate medical/dental care or
  treatment
• responding to basic emotional needs

Self-neglect: this covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surrounding and includes behaviour such as hoarding. It is important to consider capacity when self-neglect is suspected. Also consider how it may impact on other family members and whether this gives rise to a safeguarding concern.