By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Hallam Senior College students are joining the latest push for Casey residents to think and talk about family violence’s underestimated scourge.
VCAL students will be helping out at a premiere feature-length screening of Call Me Dad that aims to pack out the college’s theatre.
It’s a cathartic and rare insight into participants in men’s behaviour change groups and women support groups in Casey.
The project feeds into the students’ practical investigation into family violence, how it can be tackled and how solutions might be found, said vice principal David Caughey.
The aim is to make it real to them, he said.
As part of the drive, the students will hunt for sponsors, fund-raise and help out on the film night.
More awareness is important for an issue “that’s still a little bit in the periphery,” Mr Caughey said.
“It’s a strong philosophy of the school that we’re here to serve the community, rather than serving ourselves. It’s not just about an ATAR score.”
Of course, for some families and children in Casey it’s not peripheral but “front and centre” and their friends might not understand what victims are going through, he said.
“Events like this help people develop a language on how to talk about it.”
As is widely known, Casey has the highest reported family violence in the state.
But as Mr Caughey points out “it’s still difficult to say how widespread it is because it’s a little bit more in the shadows”.
The documentary features David Nugent – who also works as counsellor at Hallam Senior College – and his Heavy METAL (Men’s Education Towards Anger and Life) group.
Mr Nugent told Star News that many people don’t understand that family violence includes verbal abuse and manipulation inside the household.
“This is a community problem and it needs to be solved in the community.”
The screening is at 7-10pm on 26 August at Hallam Senior College and is followed by a question and answer community panel.
Tickets are at eventbrite.com/e/call-me-dad-tickets-25834649131.
For more details contact David Nugent on 0401 766 876 or email hvymetal@bigpond.net.au.
