By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CAN violent men change?
That question will linger in viewers’ minds long after they’ve finished watching the documentary ‘Call Me Dad’.
The documentary, which will air on the ABC next Thursday night 26 November to co-incide with the White Ribbon initiative, focuses on the inner workings of a men’s behavioural change group in Narre Warren.
Over 16 weeks last year independent film-maker Sophie Wiesner chronicled the men involved in the group Heavy METAL – short for Men’s Education Towards Anger and Life.
The documentary focuses on three men in particular – each a father and perpetrator of violence – and their families.
But even with each determined to make amends, the film does not back away from showing how difficult it is for men to break tendencies that for so long have been normal practice.
An incident occurred during filming and features in the doco, which reminded Sophie how hard it can be for men to change, and the consequences for their partners and children.
“When the guys had setbacks, it felt like a setback for not just the individuals but for our crew as well,” she said.
“I set about trying to see positive change in the lives of these families but that didn’t always occur.
“It’s an important lesson and part of the reality of that kind of work – it works for some and it doesn’t work for others.”
Sophie began her research into ‘Call Me Dad’ in 2012, but her reasons for pursuing the project date back much further.
“My mother’s father was very violent … and my mum grew up in a small country town, and neither she nor my grandmother ever really spoke about what happened at home,” she said.
In this way Sophie was drawn to Dave Nugent and Jacqui Seamark, who run the weekly two-and-a-half-hour Heavy METAL sessions.
It was 20 years ago when Dave, who started the group in 2004, realised he had to change.
“My partner and I were invited to a family function and we had a disagreement before the function and I spat the dummy and didn’t want to go,” he previously told Star News.
“I went to the party and made a fool of myself, I got a bit of steel pipe out of my work truck and started smashing up the car in front of a lot of people and children and I realised when I saw the looks on those kids’ faces that I’d really scared these guys.”
Dave shares his story in the documentary, and draws on his own history to help the men in the group.
“With David and Jacqui, it’s their relationship with the participants that enabled my own relationships with those in the group to develop,” Sophie said.
“They (David and Jacqui) are very compassionate, very skilful, and very brave people.
“They feel the film’s a very realistic portrayal of the work they do – it portrays both the successes and the limitations of their work.
“Men’s behavioural change programs do not change all men, and it is not the answer to every family’s problem, but it can change some men and improve the safety of women and children.”
For more information on Call Me Dad visit www.callmedadfilm.com, and to check out a trailer for the film visit berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au
If you need help, contact Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre 1800 015 188, or go to www.safesteps.org.au
View the film’s trailer here:
