Vera Institute of Justice

Overview

On January 13, 1999, about 30 experts in different fields gathered to discuss a controversial subject, mediating between individuals who have a history of domestic violence as victim and abuser. The daylong meeting was organized by the Vera Institute of Justice in cooperation with the Violence Against Women Grants Office and the Violence Against Women Office and was facilitated by Vera’s director, Christopher Stone. The meeting began in the morning with a round of introductions, followed by three broadly-framed conversations, and ended late that afternoon with a round of concluding remarks. During the lunch hour Susan Hanks, who coordinates special services for the Judicial Council of California, presented her work on mediation and domestic violence on behalf of California’s family courts