A-Z House Style Guide

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very #

Is normally superfluous. Cut it out. Except: that very day.

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vicar #

Use church leader unless referring to a person who is an ordained (eg Anglican) vicar, or is quoting direct speech.

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victim #

Avoid this word, and never refer to a person as a victim unless quoting their direct speech.

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vulnerable/vulnerability #

Do not refer to people or groups as ‘vulnerable’ without any explanation. 

When phrases such as ‘vulnerable people’ or ‘the vulnerable’ are used, there is often no explanation of who is vulnerable, why they are vulnerable and what they are vulnerable to. The word implies weakness and helplessness, and that vulnerability is part of the person or group’s identity.

Vulnerability is produced by external circumstances (eg lack of respect for people’s rights, discrimination, violence, disaster) and is not innate or intrinsic to the person or group concerned. 

Instead, use ‘people in vulnerable situations’ or ‘people who have been made vulnerable by x, y, z.’ If you have space, be as specific as possible: ‘In situations of violent conflict, children who have been separated from their parents are at increased risk of physical and emotional harm.’

Please note, this guidance also applies to similar words such as ‘marginalised’ and ‘needy’.