Social Work Now (37) September 2007 : 4-8

This article discusses the use of family-centred meetings, based on the New Zealand family group conference (FGC) model, in situations of family violence. The author defines family violence specifically as the interaction of domestic violence and child maltreatment. Evidence is drawn from New Zealand, US and Canadian sources. The author argues that, in relation to the question of whether or not to hold FGCs, a history of family violence generates additional questions. These include potentially putting survivors at risk before, during and after FGCs, versus the possibility of perpetrating institutional racism by denying families kin-based alternative to solutions such as state care. The need for domestic violence victim safety is discussed, as are the advantages family centred meetings have demonstrated for families from diverse populations and cultural groups. In conclusion the author argues that thorough planning and follow-up of FGCs is essential in placing survivor safety as paramount, while not holding FGCs reduces survivors' voices and can jeopardise children's family connections.