This population indicator shows the estimated rate of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. This rate is related to both motive and opportunity of perpetrators; the vulnerability of victims; the state of the Vermont economy; education of the public and stakeholders; challenges within families including stresses on caregivers and caregiver support services; individual support of vulnerable adults; effective screening, training, and oversight of paid caregivers; effective practices at financial institutions to prevent or identify financial exploitation; effective reporting, investigation, and substantiation/prosecution at Adult Protective Services.

People who report suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including both mandatory and non-mandatory reporters. This includes vulnerable adults, family members, friends, neighbors, volunteers, staff of local health and human service agencies, and staff of banks and financial institutions.

Education and training of the public on identifying and reporting helps to encourage both prevention and early reporting of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Updated September 2024.

Numbers of substantiations are from DAIL DLP Adult Protective Services, by state fiscal year. DAIL DLP produces a current estimated rate using the total estimated number of vulnerable adults (with disabilities) in Vermont from the US Census American Commuity Survey Table S1810 ACS 1-year estimates.