Wednesday 29th January
For domestic abuse support workers
Watch recording
This session focuses on domestic abuse and mediation. We discuss how mediators assess whether a case is suitable for mediation, whether and how mediation can work if there has any been domestic abuse, and the benefits of choosing mediation. We hear from people who have survived domestic abuse and have experience of mediation, as well as from Women’s Aid and Family Mediation Council Accredited mediators.
Key points covered:
- assessment of suitability
- what if mediation isn’t suitable?
- how can mediation be made safe?
- the benefits of mediation
Participants will gain a greater understanding of how the mediation process works in cases where there has been domestic abuse.
Your speakers |
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Alexis Walker is an accredited mediator, child inclusive mediator and PPC working across West and South Yorkshire. Alexis is a member of the FMSB. Alexis trained in 1993 as a Family Mediator and Magistrate, working in both fields until her retirement from the justiciary in 2017. As a Family Panel Magistrate and Chair for over 10 years, she understands the importance of good information and understanding of how the different branches of family law can work together to improve the lives of children caught in the middle of parental separation. |
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Prior to focusing solely on her career as a family mediator, Adrienne Cox practiced as a family law solicitor and a family law lecturer at the University of Exeter. In 2013 she started her own private family mediation practice which includes a focus on child inclusive mediation. Adrienne joined the FMSB in 2015 as one of its founder members, leading on working panels for both accreditation and training, retiring from the FMSB in July 2020. Adrienne has trained on mediation foundation training courses and has designed and run mediation courses on communication, child focused mediation and effective screening and of domestic abuse, which are areas in which she has a particular interest. Adrienne has been sitting on the Family Solutions Group which is a sub group of the Private Law Working Group and is a founding member of the Mediation and Domestic Abuse Network. |
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Lorraine Bramwell has worked as a family mediator since 1995 having previously worked in a range of roles supporting families in difficulties and in particular where domestic abuse was an issue. Lorraine is also a well-established mediation trainer and professional practice consultant. She has developed and teaches a number of specialisms including consulting children in mediation and managing high conflict cases. She has been involved in the development of training and standards in a number of key areas of mediation practice over the years, in particular in the assessing of suitability and safety of mediation where domestic abuse is an issue. Lorraine was commissioned to co-write one of the first practical handbooks for mediators on this subject, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. She has continued to be involved in developments in this area, including being a member of several Family Mediation Standards Board (FMSB) panels addressing this issue. Lorraine has been both the Director and Chair of the College of Mediators and continues to play an active role in the development of mediation standards as a member of the FMSB. She has a Masters degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, a degree in Psychology and a post graduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies. She also has personal experience of domestic abuse, coercive control and its impact on children and young people. |
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Sophie Francis-Cansfield is Head of Policy at Women’s Aid. She joined Women’s Aid in 2018, and has since worked to amplify the needs and priorities of survivors and the national network of Women’s Aid member services. Through influencing legislation, policy and practice, Sophie has led on work to ensure joined up working across the violence against women and girls sector and supported efforts to ensure survivors receive the right response wherever they seek support. She previously worked in Parliament for four years undertaking research and support roles. |