Who is at higher risk of maltreatment in the context described?

Who is at higher risk of maltreatment in the context described?

• A. Individuals with developmental disabilities.
• B. Individuals without any support needs.
• C. Caregivers of clients.
• D. Residents who live independently.

Answer: (A)

Vulnerability is highest for individuals with developmental disabilities because they often depend on others for daily care and may have limited ability to communicate what happens to them. This combination creates barriers to reporting abuse, makes it easier for mistreatment to go unnoticed, and can lead to power imbalances where the caregiver or someone in a trusted role exploits that dependence. In contrast, people who don’t require support, those living independently, or caregivers as professionals are not inherently more at risk as a group; their situations don’t carry the same level of dependency and communication barriers that elevate risk for abuse.

Vulnerability is highest for individuals with developmental disabilities because they often depend on others for daily care and may have limited ability to communicate what happens to them. This combination creates barriers to reporting abuse, makes it easier for mistreatment to go unnoticed, and can lead to power imbalances where the caregiver or someone in a trusted role exploits that dependence. In contrast, people who don’t require support, those living independently, or caregivers as professionals are not inherently more at risk as a group; their situations don’t carry the same level of dependency and communication barriers that elevate risk for abuse.