Separation, Domestic Violence, and Divorce Mediation

DOVE, an instrument designed to assess and manage the risk of domestic violence, was administered to a sequential, random sample of one hundred forty-seven male and female partners prior to their participation in divorce mediation. Nineteen statistically significant predictors of both pre- and post-separation violence and abuse were identified. Conjugal violence and abuse, male partner control, and mental health problems were prominent among predictors of post-separation violence and abuse. Safety plan interventions and referrals aimed at promoting women's safety during and following their participation in divorce mediation are identified in the concluding segment of the paper.