DOES LEVEL OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND ABUSE PREDICT THE CONTENT OF FAMILY MEDIATION AGREEMENTS?

This study investigated whether reported levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) and/or abuse (IPV/A) victimization are related to reaching agreement and to the content of mediation agreements of parties seeking to resolve family-and child-related issues. Whether or not parties reached agreement was analyzed for 105 cases at a law school mediation clinic. Agreement content was coded for the 71 cases that reached agreement. Levels of IPV and IPV/A were determined separately for males and females, using a standardized measure. Regression models were utilized to examine reports of IPV or IPV/A as predictors. Results indicated that mediation may help families with a reported history of IPV and IPV/A address a variety of concerns; levels of partner violence/abuse predicted numerous issues in mediation agreements, including arrangements regarding legal custody, parenting time, holidays, child exchanges, interparental communication, safety restrictions, counseling referrals, child support, financial arrangements, and other miscellaneous topics (e.g., relocation). However, some findings were consistent with concerns raised about the use of mediation with parties reporting IPV and IPV/A; for example, increasing levels of male-perpetrated IPV/A predicted increased likelihood of making an agreement to share legal custody. Further research is needed to resolve the longstanding debate of whether divorce mediation is an effective and safe process for parties demonstrating IPV/A. Key Points for the Family Court Community: This study adds to the debate of whether divorce mediation is an effective and safe process for parties demonstrating IPV/A. It examines whether reported levels of IPV and IPV/A victimization are related to reaching agreement and to the content of mediation agreements of parties seeking to resolve family-and child-related issues. Results provide some evidence that mediation may help families with a reported history of IPV and IPV/A address a variety of concerns. However, some findings are consistent with concerns raised about the use of mediation with parties reporting IPV and IPV/A. Findings have implications for the practice of family mediation with parties reporting a history of IPV or IPV/A.