Mediation and Domestic Violence An Exploration Of How The Family Mediation Service of Ireland Facilitates People Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence Negotiate Separation Agreements.

The research aim was to examine whether or not the Family Mediation Service facilitated those who have suffered Domestic Violence to negotiate an agreement when separating from their partner. The literature on the issue of the appropriateness of mediation in cases with domestic violence, and about the incidence of domestic violence, was examined. The policy and procedures of the Family Mediation Service concerning domestic abuse were also studied. The examination of cases in this study was limited to those where physical violence occurred, or had been threatened, and had been disclosed by both parties A sample of 114 cases involving separating couples was examined. The outcomes from cases involving domestic violence were compared to the outcomes from those where domestic violence was not an issue. The first conclusion of the research was that some couples who experienced violence in their relationships chose to attend mediation when ending their relationships. There appeared to be a great similarity in the outcomes between those cases involvin