VULNERABLE ADULTS
7
“coerce”, in relation to an individual, means—
- (a) to compel or force the individual to do, or refrain from doing, something; or
- (b) to cause the individual to do something without the individual’s consent;
“court” means the Family Court, except in sections 9(4)(a), 22(4), (5) and (7), 23(2)(a) and (3), 33 and 35(7) where “court” means a court of competent jurisdiction;
“deputy” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Mental Capacity Act (Cap. 177A);
“Director” means the Director of Social Welfare appointed under section 3(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act (Cap. 38);
“donee” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Mental Capacity Act;
“emotional or psychological abuse” means conduct or behaviour by an individual towards another individual—
- (a) that torments, intimidates, harasses or is offensive to the other individual; or
- (b) that causes or may reasonably be expected to cause mental harm to the other individual, including thoughts of suicide or inflicting self‑harm;
Illustrations
X experiences emotional or psychological abuse in the following situations:
- (a) X has Parkinson’s disease and cannot walk without assistance. Her caregiver, Y, does not physically abuse X but regularly threatens to beat or harm X’s grandchild (a baby) whom X is devoted to.
- (b) X has dementia and lives with her adult son, Y. When Y is drunk and does not get what he wants from X, Y shouts at X and destroys X’s belongings in X’s presence, causing fear and distress to X.
