Exposing Subtle Abuse

Organisation: Genesis Community
Funding: £20,000

The aim of this project is to raise awareness of staff and tenants in a housing association to the various forms of 'subtle abuse' targeted at vulnerable mentally ill people. This may include coercion to borrow money by people "befriending" them or scams. It will look at ways to address, report or ideally avoid it altogether.

The project will see a film-maker work with tenants to make an informative DVD, documenting and acting out real-life situations in which this abuse has occurred. The idea originally came from those who have suffered this subtle form of abuse and wanted to protect others by forewarning and empowering them to recognise and deal with abuse.

Those running the project will collaborate with local mental health organisations and groups, mental health professionals, PCT's, Local Authorities, as well as carers and relatives, to research what is needed from the DVD and to promote and distribute the end product.