Viva Brighton Issue #58 December 2017

BITS AND BOBS
...............................
FATHERS’ GROUP FILM SCREENING
I was a full-time daddy for nine years and
separated from the mother four years ago, a mutual
separation. When we first split up we had a 50/50
agreement – no problem – but within a few months,
things started to change. It became more and more
difficult to see my girls, and I felt I was losing them.
Their behaviour changed. It was a very scary time.
I made the decision to go to court. It wasn’t
something I wanted to do, but I felt I had no choice.
I was told by a consultant at the very beginning:
‘Remember, it’s a game you’re playing, you don’t have
any rights, and you are on trial because you’re the
dad’. The system, still to this day it seems, favours the
mother over the father.
It’s now been three years since I’ve seen my
children. I decided to start a group for other
parents in a similar situation to mine, because
the support that I’ve had
through this time has been
amazing. Parents who are
going through conflicting
separations experience many
combinations of challenges;
the aim of the group is to create shared and open
conversations that deal with these.
As told to Rebecca Cunningham by Marcus Hicks
On Tues 12th December, there will be a special
screening of ‘Menashe’ at the Depot cinema in Lewes,
for fathers who are going through separation from
their children. A private studio room will be reserved
before and after the film as a space for conversation
(with refreshments courteous of Harvey’s Brewery).
Open from 7pm for an 8pm screening. Call Marcus on
07817 679435 for more info. lewesdepot.org
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