An awareness campaign showing the uncomfortable truths of abuse faced by vulnerable adults has been launched, to place a spotlight on taboos which must be broken.
Launching the campaign, Mark Mellett of Sage Advocacy said: “Unsettling truths about what happens to thousands of people must be aired and responded to, even though some might prefer if they were not.”
The drive comprises a series of 12 gritty images and messages cataloguing what Sage has witnessed during ten years of working with thousands of people, their families and services.
Chair of Sage Advocacy, Mark Mellett said: “These stories raise uncomfortable but very real issues:
- Few, if any, want to know about unnecessary and forced use of incontinence wear
- Few, if any want to discuss deprivation of liberty in places of care
- Few, if any, want to talk about adult children using the hospitalisation of a parent to take possession of the parent’s home.”
2023 was Sage Advocacy’s busiest year to date during which it supported 7,903 people; taking on 1975 Individual Advocacy cases (an increase of 27% on 2022); and 5,928 Information & Support cases (up 39% on 2022 figures).
The campaign titled Postcards with an Edge will be widely promoted online and via an admobile on public streets. The materials are available to view at www.sageadvocacy.ie/supportus/postcards.
They show and describe – the impact of financial abuse; deprivation of liberty in places of care; families seizing control of a relative’s assets or decisions at a time of ill health, the impact when healthcare providers ignore the voice of the person being treated and the lifelong hardship that results from institutional abuse in early life.
Sage Advocacy recently announced the expansion of its service to provide advocacy supports to survivors of institutional abuse, many of whom experience difficulties in dealing with state institutions and officialdom.
Speaking on the 10th anniversary of Sage Advocacy, Mark Mellett said the initiative is designed not just to break down taboos, but also to promote a response from the public and professionals.
“If people suspect or know of abuses or vulnerabilities as described on any of the cards, we encourage them to contact Sage’s Information & Support Service on 01 536 7330 or email info@sageadvocacy.ie. Further information is available at www.sageadvocacy.ie.”
Looking towards the future Mark Mellett said: “Since 2014 Sage Advocacy can look with pride at all that has been achieved including many thousands of people that we have supported on complex and challenging issues.
“However, fresh challenges await. The institutional and culture change required by the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) legislation, the progressing of the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission on Adult Safeguarding and deprivation of liberty in places of care are just some of these.”
Mr Mellett also paid tribute to the late Philanthropist Chuck Feeney “whose enormous vision and funding made Sage and many other social, educational and democracy strengthening initiatives in Ireland and around the world possible.”
The launch marks the stepping down of Mervyn Taylor as CEO of Sage Advocacy. Along with former Law Reform Commissioner, Patricia Rickard Clarke, he was a key figure in the development of Sage from November 2013 onwards.
The new CEO of Sage Advocacy is Bibiana Savin, a former volunteer and Regional Advocate with Sage. Most recently she was Assistant CEO responsible for Case Management and Support.
Postcards with an Edge can be viewed and are available for purchase at www.sageadvocacy.ie/supportus/postcards
