Short-Form Series Unbreakable Launches on Crime+Investigation

Hearst Networks UK has launched the new short-form series Unbreakable, produced by Red Sauce, on Crime+Investigation.

Unbreakable aims to raise awareness of some of the worst abuse endured by women and men. In each episode, host Nina Aouilk, a life coach who is a survivor of childhood abuse herself, sits down with survivors of violent crime and abuse to allow them to share the pain of their experiences and detail the journeys they took to escape and find the strength to speak out.

Testimony from the survivors explores experiences ranging from sex trafficking by organized criminal gangs to domestic violence and female genital mutilation.

The series debuted on November 25, the Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. Hearst Networks UK marks this date with End Abuse Against Women, a corporate social responsibility initiative on Crime+Investigation that has helped women suffering violence and raised awareness of domestic abuse.

Unbreakable has been released across video-on-demand on Sky, Virgin Media and the Crime+Investigation app; on social media; and as an audio podcast on Apple and Spotify. The full series is available on-demand, but on social media and via podcast platforms, one episode is debuting a week.

“Unbreakable is challenging but important viewing, based on honest personal testimony unflinchingly told,” said Sam Pearson, head of short-form commissioning at Hearst Networks UK. “At Crime+Investigation, we believe it is essential to allow survivors to feel heard and seen, giving them a platform to share their personal experiences in a way they feel most comfortable.”

Tom Edwards, creative director at Red Sauce, commented, “It’s an unbelievably powerful and insightful series of films, thanks to the commitment and compassion of Nina and the production team and the bravery of the contributors. I hope it reaches the broadest possible audience.”

“Sitting with survivors who have turned an unimaginable pain into purpose is both an honor and a blueprint for hope,” Aoulik said. “By asking the questions others may not, I had hoped to inspire others to see that even in darkness, there’s a path to light.”