Domestic Abuse in Older Adults – ‘Eggshells’: a Short Film produced by older survivors who have experienced long term abuse, involving high levels of coercion and control 

This National Safeguarding Adults Week and ahead of White Ribbon Day 2022, Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) and Oldham Domestic Abuse Partnership (ODAP) are proud to introduce ‘Eggshells’ a short film about domestic abuse experienced by older adults.

The film is launched as part of the OSAB and ODAP Opening Doors Domestic Abuse Research Project made possible through funding from the Ministry of Justice. Research conducted as part of the project, concerning older survivors of domestic abuse in Oldham, found that the majority of cases involve a gradual escalation of abuse as part of a long term relationship. 45% of survivors said that the abuse got more coercive and controlling over time with perpetrators monitoring and restricting their social contacts, movements, and finances. Often, due to the subtlety of coercion and control, older survivors did not recognise the behaviour as abuse until it escalated to a point where the severity of it made it difficult to leave. Equally, practitioners in Oldham did not recognise these very early signs linked to coercion and control.

This film has been designed to help promote an understanding of these types of situations and to help everyone recognise the signs. OSAB and OSCP encourages everyone to share this vital film within their networks, with friends, family, and colleagues. For information and support in Greater Manchester please visit: www.eggshells.org.uk a collation of key links put together to support the film. OSAB and ODAP commissioned Made By Mortals to lead production of the powerful film, it was co-produced with a team of professional artists, partners from health and social care and a group of women from Oldham who courageously shared their lived experience as a way of helping others going through the same experiences.