The right to be safe from serious harm is article 3 of the Human Rights Act.

In the law this is called the right to be free from inhumane and degrading treatment.

Staff working in public services must not make decisions or do things which cause you to feel very scared, embarrassed or which cause you a lot of pain.

Staff working in public services must not make decisions or do things which cause you: 

• to feel very scared
• to feel embarrassed 
• a lot of pain

If staff in public bodies know you are at risk of serious harm, they have to do something to help you. This is called safeguarding.

Staff in public bodies must respect and protect this right whether you: 

• are renting your home from a housing association or a private landlord
• own your own home

There are lots of ways that someone’s right to be safe from serious harm could be at risk. Being homeless is one example. This may be because being homeless makes someone feel very scared or it is very bad for their health. This person could talk to the housing officer about their right to be safe from serious harm. The Housing Officer has to look after this right because they work for a public body.

There is guide about the right to be safe from serious harm by The British Institute of Human Rights.