What does indirect abuse involve in the context of vulnerable adults?

In the context of vulnerable adults, indirect abuse refers to the failure of systems or caregivers to provide adequate support and protection, which can lead to harm or neglect of the individual. Willful neglect, the chosen answer, directly relates to the intentional failure to meet a vulnerable adult’s needs, resulting in deterioration or suffering. It exemplifies how neglect can manifest when caregivers intentionally disregard the responsibilities they have toward those they are meant to protect.

While physical harm from caregivers is a form of direct abuse, it doesn't encapsulate the idea of indirect abuse. Systems that fail to protect the vulnerable and failure to meet emotional needs also contribute to the broader context of neglect and systemic issues affecting vulnerable adults but highlight different aspects than outright willful neglect. Thus, willful neglect distinctively emphasizes the intentional nature of the neglect that characterizes indirect abuse.