Viva Brighton Issue #58 December 2017
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BITS AND BOBS<br />
...............................<br />
FATHERS’ GROUP FILM SCREENING<br />
I was a full-time daddy for nine years and<br />
separated from the mother four years ago, a mutual<br />
separation. When we first split up we had a 50/50<br />
agreement – no problem – but within a few months,<br />
things started to change. It became more and more<br />
difficult to see my girls, and I felt I was losing them.<br />
Their behaviour changed. It was a very scary time.<br />
I made the decision to go to court. It wasn’t<br />
something I wanted to do, but I felt I had no choice.<br />
I was told by a consultant at the very beginning:<br />
‘Remember, it’s a game you’re playing, you don’t have<br />
any rights, and you are on trial because you’re the<br />
dad’. The system, still to this day it seems, favours the<br />
mother over the father.<br />
It’s now been three years since I’ve seen my<br />
children. I decided to start a group for other<br />
parents in a similar situation to mine, because<br />
the support that I’ve had<br />
through this time has been<br />
amazing. Parents who are<br />
going through conflicting<br />
separations experience many<br />
combinations of challenges;<br />
the aim of the group is to create shared and open<br />
conversations that deal with these.<br />
As told to Rebecca Cunningham by Marcus Hicks<br />
On Tues 12th <strong>December</strong>, there will be a special<br />
screening of ‘Menashe’ at the Depot cinema in Lewes,<br />
for fathers who are going through separation from<br />
their children. A private studio room will be reserved<br />
before and after the film as a space for conversation<br />
(with refreshments courteous of Harvey’s Brewery).<br />
Open from 7pm for an 8pm screening. Call Marcus on<br />
07817 679435 for more info. lewesdepot.org<br />
FABRIC &<br />
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