RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - May 24 - Flipbook - Page 47
Myth
I have to see
the other
person
FALSE
It is commonly thought that by agreeing
to enter into a media琀椀on process, all
individuals are automa琀椀cally in the same
room. The mediator will speak with each
party to the media琀椀on prior to a joint
media琀椀on session. The mediator will use
this individual session to understand
individual perspec琀椀ves and assess
whether media琀椀on is suitable. They
will assess the best way to proceed if
media琀椀on is suitable. For example, they
may discuss whether having support
persons in the media琀椀on might be helpful
or suggest you mediate from separate
spaces. If you are concerned about being
in the same room, it is important to
discuss this with the mediator so that you
can explore op琀椀ons. Keep in mind that
all conversa琀椀ons with the mediator are
strictly con昀椀den琀椀al, so you can feel safe
to speak honestly and openly.
Myth
A mediation
does not go
ahead only
if someone is
violent
FALSE
When assessing suitability, there are
many factors that mediators take into
account. Power dynamics, the level of
con昀氀ict, psychological & physical safety
and the willingness of par琀椀es to mediate,
are just a few of the many factors
considered when a mediator is making
an assessment about media琀椀on suitability.