In the light of PTSD, and psychological issues being an underlying part of divorce allegations.
So much so that
PTSD can cause misinterpretations of the facts, hypervigilance of experience, and avoidance.
I not saying that domestic abuse does not cause PTSD but so doe any traumatic event does including divorce.
I believe that this can be the cause of intractable hostility. And so can other undiagnosed mental health issues on both parents.
There has to be something wrong why two people, who decide to live together cannot. And we should not let this impact the relationship with children. Because children are paramount.
I propose.
Actually front-loads the courts. To carry out all the donkey work before people get there. So the court is presented with two reasonable people who agree on what is best for their children.
Psych evaluation of both parties - trauma chronology shared
Cafcass - to coordinate this. continue to evaluate social issues, along with factual psychological factors, and collate reports.
Compulsory counselling - because it's traumatic.
May also include parenting training
And may not always end in separation of parties, just better parenting. (which apparently social service may be forced to do because they have to er on he side of caution. But often miss that they are increasing the load on the residential parent, alienating non-res parents and creating examples for children of how to behave.)
Proposed Flow
Want to make an application for children?
1.
mediation and separate but compulsory psychological evaluations of both parents.
if allegations then a mediation factfinding report (usually mediation halted by police, social services involved.)
2. There may be but split mediation - but compulsory separate counselling continues.
3. Agreements, backed up by the reports from psychology, availability, schools, CAFCASS, Police, Trauma chronology, to concent order.
4. compulsory counselling continues. to resolve matters that have nothing to do with courts.
5. court used for, recommendation presented a proposed
Consent Order to the court.
In complex cases, this BUNDLE will be sent to court, so at least the court will be front-loaded without having to order all of the stuff or delay with allegations and other stuff not already disclosed.