caves16
02-07-2013, 03:28 PM
At the risk of exposing myself to fire, I wish nonetheless to provide the following information and pose the question: what do you think?
Some may know there is new provincial legislation in BC starting March 18, 2012 that governs Family matters in BC. It applies (generally) to both married spouses and those living 'common law'. The new act is called Family Law Act.
Issues of family violence are getting key attention, both within the court process as well as in "alternative dispute resolution". In an effort to resolve family disputes outside of the courts, the use of family arbitrators, mediators and parenting coordinators are specifically set out in the legislation. Now there are all sorts of interesting rules and procedures. No one yet knows how this will pan out in practice. Everyone seems hopeful for a sunny future where bitter and costly divorce actions are a thing of the past.
All "Family Dispute Resolution Professionals" are required to have training in family violence. "Family Violence" is so broadly defined in the legislation that even I am guilty of 'abusing' my husband (poor dear). The court system can require the spouses to go to dispute resolution (eg. to see a Family Justice Counsellor, for instance). This means you do not have a 'choice'.
All the Family Dispute Resolution Professionals are required by law to conduct "screening" and 'assessment' for 'family violence'. There are a number of 'screening tools' (questionnaires) circulating among these professionals. Questions such as 'has your spouse made you feel guilty? Refused to recognize your feelings? Called you names? Restricted your use of family money? etc etc...
The question which many of you have already anticipated:
there are questions about whether there are weapons and or guns in the home.
These screening tools are used by all levels of our court and family law systems. I'm not clear how, and who has access to these things and what 'labels' might be put on families. I have not seen any info on what will be done with these screening tools, and what will be done if 'violence' is noted. They are written documents, and I dont know where they are kept, and who they are provided to. Keep in mind the screening is so broad that I doubt any families will not have at least some 'pings' on the tests.
Any concerns about a disgruntled spouse answering the broad spectrum of questions and 'disclosing' the presence of guns?
We already have this review each time we renew our possession license, but this seems different and I am left with too many questions about what the 'system' will be doing with this information.
Thoughts?
Some may know there is new provincial legislation in BC starting March 18, 2012 that governs Family matters in BC. It applies (generally) to both married spouses and those living 'common law'. The new act is called Family Law Act.
Issues of family violence are getting key attention, both within the court process as well as in "alternative dispute resolution". In an effort to resolve family disputes outside of the courts, the use of family arbitrators, mediators and parenting coordinators are specifically set out in the legislation. Now there are all sorts of interesting rules and procedures. No one yet knows how this will pan out in practice. Everyone seems hopeful for a sunny future where bitter and costly divorce actions are a thing of the past.
All "Family Dispute Resolution Professionals" are required to have training in family violence. "Family Violence" is so broadly defined in the legislation that even I am guilty of 'abusing' my husband (poor dear). The court system can require the spouses to go to dispute resolution (eg. to see a Family Justice Counsellor, for instance). This means you do not have a 'choice'.
All the Family Dispute Resolution Professionals are required by law to conduct "screening" and 'assessment' for 'family violence'. There are a number of 'screening tools' (questionnaires) circulating among these professionals. Questions such as 'has your spouse made you feel guilty? Refused to recognize your feelings? Called you names? Restricted your use of family money? etc etc...
The question which many of you have already anticipated:
there are questions about whether there are weapons and or guns in the home.
These screening tools are used by all levels of our court and family law systems. I'm not clear how, and who has access to these things and what 'labels' might be put on families. I have not seen any info on what will be done with these screening tools, and what will be done if 'violence' is noted. They are written documents, and I dont know where they are kept, and who they are provided to. Keep in mind the screening is so broad that I doubt any families will not have at least some 'pings' on the tests.
Any concerns about a disgruntled spouse answering the broad spectrum of questions and 'disclosing' the presence of guns?
We already have this review each time we renew our possession license, but this seems different and I am left with too many questions about what the 'system' will be doing with this information.
Thoughts?