I am a mediator with a practice based in the State of Maryland. I am committed to providing a safe environment where my clients can speak without duress or fear and where they may negotiate a resolution to their conflict or dispute.
Every week I am contacted by individuals who want to mediate individual, family, and business conflicts. Many of the people who contact me are interested in domestic, or family mediation. These people want to discuss issues related to separation, child custody, child support, visitation, spousal support (alimony) and/or property settlement.
Before agreeing to meet people (a/k/a "parties") for mediation, I gather information in order to determine whether or not I am the right mediator for them. Among other things, I attempt to determine whether there is a history of violence or abuse between the parties.
People who batter, terrorize, or otherwise abuse do so to maintain control and power. Where there is a history of violence or abuse, the victim is controlled by the abuser and may not be free to "participate" in mediation.
A victim of abuse who attends mediation with an abuser, may not be free to reveal the truth about the relationship without the threat of retaliation. If both parties cannot freely participate, a negotiated resolution is not possible. Additionally, the victim may be in danger entering or leaving the premises.
Mediation seeks to level the playing field, i.e., to make sure the parties to the dispute have equal power to negotiate a settlement. Where abuse is present there is an imbalance of power. The abuser has the power and may threaten the victim to obtain the desired outcome.
Mediation is a terrific process for dispute resolution where the parties have equal power and can safely negotiate. However, the mediation process may not be the ideal method of dispute resolution where the imbalance of power is related to violence and abuse. Therefore, I choose not to mediate disputes between parties with a history of violence or abuse.
