Parents about to divorce or separate are to be given free counselling sessions in a bid to lessen the impact on their children.
The $6 million scheme, unveiled by Justice Minister Rick Barker yesterday, was aimed at 15,000 parents who would separate or contemplate a split, during the next year, he said.
The voluntary programme includes four hours of counselling, a DVD and written material, and coaches parents on the impact of divorce and how to involve their children.
Latest statistics show that 10,600 marriage dissolution orders were granted by family courts in 2004, 100 more than in 2003.
Auckland family lawyer Brian Gubb, who helped put the programme together, said it should be mandatory for all parents that were separating. “Otherwise the parents that you want on it, won’t (go).”
Victoria University’s family studies director Jan Pryor said the biggest impact on children was conflict between parents during separation.
“If the parents stay together and keep fighting then the parents are worse off.”
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