Fife Multi-Agency Adult Protection Guidance - Home Page

Harm includes all harmful conduct. It includes harmful conduct whetherdeliberate or unintentional. Harmful conduct also includes acts of omission, forexample neglect. In addition the harm may be as a consequence of theindividual’s own behaviour (self-harm).Suggested Definitions of HarmSuggested definition of physical harm and abuse:Physical harm is occasioned when a perpetrator intentionally or recklesslycauses the victim to believe he or she is about to be subjected to violence oris actually subjected to physical actions (touching, hitting, slapping,mishandling etc.) that result in distress or injury regardless of the degree ofthe consequences.Suggested definition of sexual harm and abuse:Sexual harm and abuse occur when a perpetrator engages in physical acts ofpenetrative or non-penetrative contact sexual activity or non-physical sexualactivity involving visual or auditory exposure to sexually explicit material with avictim who is unable to consent to or refuse such activity.Suggested definition of neglect and self-neglect:Neglect entails the failure of responsible individuals to meet the physical,psychological, emotional and social needs of an individual either intentionallyor through omission leading to deterioration in their condition in one or moreareas of their wellbeing. Neglect may arise from individual actions oromissions or result from systemic failures in provision by the responsibleagency.Self-neglect entails the failure by an individual to meet his or her ownpersonal, physical and health needs leading to deterioration in their condition.Self-neglect may arise because of a wide range of deteriorating motivationalor health conditions.12