What term describes an act that exploits or victimizes someone by treating them unfairly?

• A. Exploitation
• B. Battery
• C. False Imprisonment
• D. Assault

Answer: (A)

Exploitation is taking advantage of someone by treating them unfairly for the benefit of the person exploiting them. In a care setting, this means a caregiver or trusted person uses a resident’s resources, autonomy, or vulnerability to benefit themselves or others, often causing harm or loss to the resident. This differs from other harms: battery involves unwanted physical contact that harms, false imprisonment is unlawfully restricting a person’s freedom of movement, and assault is a threat or attempt to cause harm. Because the defining idea is using someone unfairly for personal or others’ gain, exploitation best fits the description. For example, coercing a resident to sign over money or misusing their funds shows exploitation.