Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Family violence and family mediation
Other Titles:	Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre Newsletter
Authors:	Bickerdike, Andrew Bailey, Allie
Keywords:	Advocacy;Family law
Year:	2005
Publisher:	Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre
Citation:	(1), Autumn 2005
Notes:	This article describes a presentation given at the ‘Families Matter’, 9th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference in Melbourne, February 2005. It summarises the aim of the partnership between the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC) and Relationships Australia, Victoria. Their concerns about the use of mediation where there is a history of family violence are outlined, and their current practice methods are also presented. Preliminary findings from a research project conducted by these 2 agencies, in terms of the mediation experiences of women where there has been family violence, are explored. It finds that mediators need to validate the experiences of victims of violence. An assessment of a victim’s capacity to participate in mediation and any external support such as counselling prior to, during and after mediation, should be made. Mediators also need to regularly check with the woman, give time-out during mediation sessions, and understand the trauma of domestic violence, the impact of non-physical abuse, and how abuse could affect a woman’s capacity, and screen out inappropriate cases. Their research suggests future strategies to address issues facing women experiencing family violence who may be mandated to attend mediation. Such future strategies and research include: consultation with the family violence and mediation sector; consultation with family-violence-affected clients (prospective and retrospective research project); and development of a modified practice model to deal with mandated clients.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/14754
ISSN:	1324-4264
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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