NCJ Number
62009
Date Published
1978
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE FIRST 5 OPERATING YEARS (SEPTEMBER 1, 1972 TO AUGUST 31, 1977) OF THE EDMONTON FAMILY COURT MARRIAGE CONCILIATION SERVICE (CANADA) ARE SUMMARIZED. HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, AND RESULTS ARE COVERED.
Abstract
THE MARRIAGE CONCILIATION SERVICE OPERATING IN THE FAMILY COURT OF EDMONTON, ALBERTA, IS DESIGNED FOR PERSONS IN CONTACT WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM. IT IS A COUNSELING SERVICE WITHIN THE COURTS TO WHICH LAWYERS AND JUDGES, AT ANY STAGE IN THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, CAN REFER CLIENTS AND LITIGANTS. IT OPERATES AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM. CONCILIATION COUNSELING IS DESIGNED TO HELP A COUPLE RECONCILE THEIR MARITAL CONFLICTS, AN ACTION WHICH MAY LEAD EITHER TO A BETTER MARRIAGE OR A MORE HEALTHY DIVORCE. INITIALLY THE COUNSELOR AIMS TO HELP THE PARTIES REACH A RATIONAL DECISION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR MARRIAGE AND THEN HE OR SHE HELPS THE COUPLE IMPLEMENT THAT DECISION. POST-DIVORCE COUNSELING IS ALSO OFFERED. IN ITS FIRST 5 YEARS, THE PROGRAM RECEIVED OVER 1,800 REFERRALS, WITH NEARLY HALF COMING IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. ALTHOUGH THE RESTORATION OF A MARRIAGE IS NOT THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE SERVICE, THE STABILIZATION OF FAMILIES ON THE VERGE OF DISSOLUTION COULD RESULT IN RELIEF FOR ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED. MARRIAGES WERE RESTORED IN 34 PERCENT OF THE CASES COUNSELED OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS OF OPERATION. ABOUT 55 PERCENT OF THE COUPLES COUNSELED IN THE SAME 2-YEAR PERIOD BENEFITED FROM 'DIVORCE COUNSELING,' WHICH INVOLVED CUSTODY/ACCESS ISSUES. ABOUT 8 PERCENT OF THE COUPLES APPEARED NOT TO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE COUNSELING. THE CONCILIATION SERVICE SHOULD BE CONTINUED AND EXPANDED IN ITS COURT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED ALONG WITH STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL DATA. (RCB)