STOP IT! SENIORS ADDRESS ELDER ABUSE WITH FILM

More than 200 people piled into the Cineplex Cinemas Markham on Feb. 11 for the premiere screening of "Stop IT!" — a short film made by older adult volunteers raising awareness about elder abuse.

The film is the result of a project of the Angus Glen Older Adults Club (AGOAC) Filmmaking Group, which received a grant of $25,000 from the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors Program. The grant supports projects that are led or inspired by seniors who are making a difference in the lives of others in their communities.

Thomas Yee, who began his career in the film and television industry 35 years ago as a hair stylist, deliberately recruited senior volunteers for the project.

The project was open to all ethnic groups living in Ontario, but most of the production took place within the GTA and York Region.

"Everyone in our production of this film is a volunteer," said Yee, who directed and produced the film. "Almost all of them are seniors. It's phenomenal how many people feel the subject matter of elder abuse needs to be addressed in our community."

Co-producer Angela Wong said the overall goals were to promote volunteerism, keep seniors active and at the same time raise awareness of elder abuse.

While most of the crew members were novice, the producers planned filmmaking workshops for volunteers prior to production.

"The challenge for me as a director was to communicate my vision to the crew without using film set jargon when showing them how to do what I required from them," said Yee.

Kahfae Chan, who volunteered in the props crew, was impressed by the endless patience the director had while working with volunteers.

"I remember one scene needed 17 takes," said Chan. "The thing I found most remarkable was that a hotchpotch collection of volunteers of various professional backgrounds, none directly related to filmmaking, managed to get into a cohesive workforce to produce a real film."

While researching his film, Yee discovered there are already quite a few films about elder abuse for seniors to find help and get support.

"Instead of making a film for seniors who are often the ones being abused, we want to target our story to the abusers or potential abusers or would-be abusers, mainly the young generations," said Yee.

Angie Lo, who joined the project as a production assistant and then became the second assistant director, said she was inspired by the filmmaking process. "Even when you reach senior's age, don't be afraid, accept new challenges."

Lo said the film conveys important messages about elder abuse, which can take many forms, including abusers often being caregivers or family members.

"We often take it for granted that we are doing the best or deciding the best for our elderly parents without realizing we are 'unintentionally controlling' them."

Chan has also been inspired by the theme.

"The film made me realize elder abuse situations may not be obvious, and they could even result from good intentions. In some cases, the culprits may not even be aware that they are doing the abusing."

Markham-unionville MP Paul Chiang, who was a police officer with York Regional Police, said he often saw cases of either domestic, partner-to-partner or elder abuse during his career.

"It is unfortunately on the rise," he added.

According to York Region Police, there were 486 reported cases of violent crime with seniors as victims in 2021. More than 60 per cent of seniors who reported experiencing violent victimization were physically assaulted. A small portion (24 cases) reported experiencing sexual violation and deprivation of freedom.

Based on the national uniform crime reporting survey, the rate of policereported violence against seniors increased 22 per cent between 2010 and 2020. In 2020, nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of senior victims of police-reported violence were victimized by someone other than a family member or intimate partner.

After its premiere, Stop IT!" had another screening at Cineplex Silver City in March for the York Region and Toronto school boards. The film will be open to the public on a Youtube channel at a later date.

"The movie is a call to action to examine ourselves and to test ourselves," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "When we say 'stop it,' take a step back, ask yourself, 'What am I doing here?' 'Am I actually sharing or controlling?' It is a powerful message."

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Reporter Irene Wong was invited to the premiere screening of the film "Stop IT!" She decided to explore the stories behind the scenes and share the message of stopping elder abuse.