Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007

93 Meaning of “harm”

(1) For the purposes of this Act, an individual (“A”) harms another (“B”) if—

(a) A’s conduct causes B physical harm,

(b) A’s conduct causes B psychological harm (for example: by putting B in a state of fear, alarm or distress), or

(c) A engages in unlawful conduct which appropriates or adversely affects B’s property, rights or interests (for example: theft, fraud, embezzlement or extortion),

and references to harm are to be construed accordingly.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, an individual (“C”) places another (“D”) at risk of harm if—

(a) C attempts to harm D,

(b) C incites another to harm D,

(c) C encourages D to self-harm, or

(d) C’s conduct otherwise causes, or is likely to cause, D to be harmed,

and references to being placed at risk of harm are to be construed accordingly.