Manitoba Family Services and Consumer Affairs
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The Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act
The Protection of Vulnerable Persons from Abuse or Neglect
- How does the Act protect vulnerable persons from abuse or neglect?
- Are people legally obliged to report suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person?
- What does Manitoba Family Services and Housing do when it receives a report of abuse or neglect?
- What happens if a vulnerable person may be in immediate danger of serious harm or death from abuse or neglect? What can be done?
- What happens to the vulnerable person after the 120 hours or five days expire?
How does the Act protect vulnerable persons from abuse or neglect?
The Act provides a legislative framework for the protection of vulnerable persons from abuse or neglect. Specifically, the legislation requires the reporting of alleged abuse or neglect, the investigation of all allegations and, where warranted, protective action.
Are people legally obliged to report suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person?
Yes. By law, service providers, substitute decision makers and committees must report to Manitoba Family Services and Housing any knowledge or suspicion of abuse or neglect of the vulnerable persons they support. Other members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons, but are not required to do so by law. In addition, any person may also make a report directly to the police. The police will do a preliminary investigation and determine if further investigation under the Criminal Code is warranted.
What does Manitoba Family Services and Housing do when it receives a report of abuse or neglect?
Manitoba Family Services and Housing must investigate every report of abuse or neglect. Designated departmental staff are authorized to conduct investigations. Their powers include authority to:
- visit and communicate with the vulnerable person;
- require any person to provide any information or produce any record or item in his or her custody that may be relevant to the investigation;
- request and review reports and information that may be relevant to the investigation; and
- based on the investigation and assessment, take appropriate action to protect the vulnerable person.
Where there is suspicion of abuse or neglect and staff are unable to gain access to the vulnerable person, Manitoba Family Services and Housing may apply to the court for an "Order for Entry." The Order authorizes designated departmental staff to enter any place in order to communicate with the vulnerable person, using the assistance of a peace officer if necessary.
What happens if a vulnerable person may be in immediate danger of serious harm or death from abuse or neglect? What can be done?
In such cases, the Act authorizes designated staff of Manitoba Family Services and Housing to immediately take emergency intervention action for up to 120 hours (5 days) to protect the vulnerable person. Emergency intervention may include the provision of emergency services and/or, if necessary, the removal of the vulnerable person to a place of safety.
What happens to the vulnerable person after the 120 hours or five days expire?
After 120 hours, if it is believed that the vulnerable person continues to be "at risk" of being abused or neglected, staff from Manitoba Family Services and Housing will continue to take action to protect the vulnerable person. Such services can include the provision of support services, applying for or altering the appointment of a substitute decision maker and/or requesting an investigation by the police.
Once the vulnerable person is safe from further or possible abuse
or neglect, and before the expiration of the five days, an individual
planning process needs to occur. The planning process provides a
systematic means of identifying the actions to be taken to ensure
that the potential abuse or neglect is eliminated and that other
needs are considered.
