Vulnerable Sector Search
Whenever an organization with people in a position of trust (i.e. Scouts, senior citizen organizations, day care centres, etc...) deals with vulnerable people, they can request applicants to submit a Vulnerable Sector check.
Vulnerable persons are individuals who are at greater risk of being harmed than the general population because of their age, disability or handicap, or circumstances, whether temporary or permanent. They are generally defined as youth, elderly, or persons with disabilities.
The Vulnerable Sector Check is in addition to a criminal record check. During a VSC, a special database is checked to see if the subject has received a pardon for a criminal offence of a sexual nature. This requires the prior written consent of the applicant and can only be conducted by the police. Initially, the results can only be released to the applicant by the police. The police agency may only release the information to the requesting Vulnerable Sector organization with the prior written consent by that individual. If a record exists, it must be confirmed by the submission of fingerprints.
People who have received a pardon for any offence that is not of a sexual nature, will pass the Vulnerable Sector Search.
For more information on pardons for sexual offences, please read the pardon FAQS.
