As mental health care policies increasingly emphasize treatment and care in community settings, there has been concern over the burden that families of mentally ill people might suffer as a result. We conducted a study of the prevalence of abuse faced by relatives of patients admitted during a 6-month period to the acute psychiatric unit of a busy general hospital, who had previously been living with a relative. Patients and their relatives were assessed using semi-structured interview schedules. The experience of burden and the specific experiences of abuse since the onset of their relative's illness were recorded. In total, 32 (32%) of the 101 relatives had been struck on at least one or two occasions. Verbal abuse, threats and temper outbursts were reported by over 50% of the relatives. Principal correlates of abuse were diagnosis, concurrent drug misuse and a poor pre-morbid relationship between carer and patient.