New York State law defines abuse and neglect of vulnerable persons in broad terms, including both actual harm and the risk of harm.
Physical Abuse
Intentional contact (hitting, kicking, shoving, etc.) corporal punishment, injury which cannot be explained and is suspicious due to extent or location, the number of injuries at one time, or the frequency over time
Psychological Abuse
Taunting, name calling, using threatening words or gestures
Sexual Abuse
Inappropriate touching, indecent exposure, sexual assault, taking or distributing sexually explicit pictures, voyeurism or other sexual exploitation. All sexual contact between a Custodian and a service recipient is sexual abuse, unless the Custodian is also a person receiving services
Neglect
Failure to provide supervision, or adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care; or access to an educational entitlement
Deliberate Misuse of Restraint or Seclusion
Use of these interventions with excessive force, as a punishment or for the convenience of staff
Controlled Substances
Using, administering or providing any controlled substance contrary to law
Aversive Conditioning
Unpleasant physical stimulus used to modify behavior without person-specific legal authorization
Obstruction
Interfering with the discovery, reporting or investigation of abuse / neglect, falsifying records or intentionally making false statements