Domestic violence/Power imbalance screening

[SingingDad]

Anyone ever done one or knows what is involved. Before my Parenting Coordination/mediation/arbitration thing starts both my STBX and I need to have this done and I'm not quite sure what to expect.

SD

[hadenough]

I have never heard of such a screening. Would you please elaborate? I wish I'd had my ex screened before ever getting involved with him :s I'll be paying for that mistake for the rest of my life.

[Berner_Faith]

I have not gone through this myself, but from what I have read, it is basically to make sure there was no violence or power imbalance in the relationship. This is because with mediation, you and your ex will sit with the mediator and try to come to a compromise, but if there was violence one way or another, mediation most likely will not go through, because one party may be put in a weaker position by fearing the other party.

Others will correct me if I am wrong, but that is the just of it.

[involveddad75]

I'm not sure, but once it is done, would please post some information on it. And perhaps if you want Private message me.

Thanks.

[SingingDad]

I have never heard of such a screening. Would you please elaborate? I wish I'd had my ex screened before ever getting involved with him :s I'll be paying for that mistake for the rest of my life.

Apparently it is something that is required under the Arbitration act before family mediation/arbitration can proceed. It is done with a lawyer and both parties typically use the same one. I think that previously it was done my the med/arb, but now it is done by an independent.

I have not gone through this myself, but from what I have read, it is basically to make sure there was no violence or power imbalance in the relationship. This is because with mediation, you and your ex will sit with the mediator and try to come to a compromise, but if there was violence one way or another, mediation most likely will not go through, because one party may be put in a weaker position by fearing the other party.

Others will correct me if I am wrong, but that is the just of it.

I hope it doesn't stall the process as you described. My STBX has a penchant for using the words "domestic violence" as a weapon. I know they do have an option of proceeding with the parties in separate rooms and the mediator goes back and forth, which I was hoping was my worse case scenario.

I'm not sure, but once it is done, would please post some information on it. And perhaps if you want Private message me.

Thanks.

Will do.

[SingingDad]

Actually just found something that explains it well:

Top Ten Questions about Screening for Power Imbalances and Domestic Violence in Mediation and Arbitration | Riverdale Mediation

I will still come back and give specifics if/when it gets done.