Vulnerable Adult: I would advocate that anyone who has a sound, or reasonable case but the chance of success is low (compared with a more articulate, better resource defendant), may be considered to be a Vulnerable Adult. This vulnerability would be by virtue of the person's persistent, or temporary, difficulties in expressing a grievance &/or presenting evidence in the usual verbal form, for any reason'; by virtue of temporary, or persistent, intellectual, emotional 'inhibition', disability, or fear. Stated simply; If you are currently unable to express yourself adequately, because you are somehow inhibited, lack confidence, have problems with language (including your own), or lack the motivation to pursue, or adequately support a case against someone who has assaulted you (in any way); you should be entitled to consideration as a 'Vulnerable Adult'. Fear & experiencing intimidation are adequate grounds for this kind of support, whatever the nature & degree of intimidation. This is not about being 'stupid', its about being 'naive' of the incredibly dishonest & abusive behaviour of people, and the clever ways that they 'cover' themselves. It makes you feel stupid. By going down this route, you (or someone on your behalf), would seek 'special measures', to obtain extra support and alternative facilities (video interviews, non-verbal communication, and drama recreations, etc.), to develop and even present your case in court. Using these special measures helps ensure that the story you have to tell has an good opportunity to be considered by the court, with a reasonable chance of success. There are still 'Legal Centres' that will consider special circumstances that present difficult issues and complex cases. There may be such a free, generally available 'Advocacy', or 'Legal Service' in your area. An IMCA (Independent Mental Capacity Act) Advocate may also be appropriate. Don't be put off by the title, or reference to 'mental health'. Any of us can be vulnerable at times and this can affect our 'Capacity' to fully understand the risks that we are facing and how we can best resolve the problems we have. This can be temporary and limited to specific areas of our lives. If you have a social worker, health worker, or probation officer, they should be able to help. If not, you can also ask at a Solicitors who display the 'free legal advice' logo - (2 people sitting face to face across a table). Make sure that your status as a 'vulnerable person' is adequately considered. It is a relatively 'new' insight. If you are identified as having a more persistent Mental Health, Learning Difficulty, or Severe Addiction, or Sensory Problems; If you have any identified health, or social problem that inhibits you ability to protect yourself, or understand the impact of your own and others actions, or implications of legal actions for, or against you. If you lack 'capacity', in any of these respects, you should be entitled to support from the Police, as a Vulnerable Adult. It is their duty to recognise and appreciate this. The kind of support that you then get makes the whole process less distressing and I would hope that increasing numbers of people will be dealt with through this special process. Once it is proven, I am sure we can encourage this. This special support includes very professional police interviewers - none of your 'Sweeny' types. The environment in which you are interviewed is more relaxing and less distressing. All you reasonable request will be considered, even if you have been partially in the wrong (by your own standards, or those of police and courts). If part of the problem is that you feel intimidated by police, or officials, this will help, as these are specially selected and trained officers, who have a good understanding of your position and concerns. There are good, bad and indifferent people in all walks of life. Each has their role and niche in the wide range of problems they face. In this special situation I can confidently say that you will get the best of treatment and a very open & honest approach. You will not be isolated and there will be other officers about, both men and women. You may even have a friend attend with you, although they should let you do the talking in the main.  This page is in the stage of preparation.
There are some links on the right that may be helpful: | NOTE: This Document is still at some stage of development. You are invited to respond and comment on its content and its logic. If you return to the document at a future date, you will be able to see its continued development, hopefully reflecting your own and others commentary. I thank you, in advance, for any contribution that you make. Please also feel free to visit and contribute, in any valid way, to these and other social issues, through our Forums. There is also a Chat Room and protected Chat Space for more serious group discussions and individual counselling. Please feel free o use this space for your legitimate activities. Copyright: Although you will see very few reference to other formal writings in this document, I acknowledge general recognition to the discussions and debates that I have had with students, practitioners and clients over the years. Most of the ideas and theory has evolved through this rather pragmatic process (operational research), rather than any formal reading. If any content of this document describes concepts, theory, or ideas that have been established else where, (prior to my writing, either here or else where - in part or in full), I acknowledge their entitlement to claim them as their intellectual property for financial purposes, if they can evidence this. I also reserve the right to retain them as my intellectual property, with due recognition to those who have made direct contributions, including other writers, should I identify such a past influences. Other than this, I invite you to share and copy any content, to the benefit of intellectual debate and the benefit of individuals and groups, without restriction, other than it be used for constructive purpose, in the wider context of my writing. Should you wish to use any material presented here 'as is', I ask that you then make reference to myself and the web site. The 'Reading Date' would be a useful 'publishing date' for the Current Edition. 1980 is the core publishing date for most of the basic ideas and theory (unless stated otherwise). This 'Reading Date' may be an important part of this 'reference', as the document (by its 'internet fluid' nature) will be constantly changing and this may affect meaning and interpretation, for those following up on such a reference at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation. TRC. eMail: terry.couchman@visitweb.org |
