4.3 What Information Should You Record?

To make an accurate report of any incident of maltreatment, it is essential to note down some specific details of the disclosure. These may include the following information:

• The time, location, and date of the incident
• The events that lead to the incident
• The names and details of the alleged perpetrator
• Whether there were any witnesses
• Details about the vulnerable adult and whether they sought any help after the incident.

It is important to remember that all the information you record should be accurate and verifiable. Try to refrain from noting down any vague or opinionated statements that may be biased. Your record can be an essential part of the maltreatment investigation, and thus it should be taken seriously.

If the vulnerable adult is in a sound state, read out what you have written to them to ensure that you have gotten all the facts right and are not misinterpreting anything.