Under British Columbia’s Adult Guardianship Act (AGA), the five regional health authorities, Providence Health Care and Community Living BC are responsible for investigating reports of abuse, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults living in BC. 

The World Health Organization defines abuse of older adults as, “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.”

BCPSLS re:act supports communication, follow-up and data collection across BC.

*If you suspect someone you know over the age of 19 is being abused, neglected or is self-neglecting, learn to recognize it and report it. Types of abuse include:

• Physical or sexual
• Psychological, emotional or verbal
• Financial or personal property 
• Neglect or self-neglect