Family mediation was seen as a useful service for ensuring amicable separation. The focus group participants felt that professionals such as lawyers and doctors had respect in the community and mediation services need to be seen in the same light. Experienced and culturally sensitive mediators would be preferred. The participants felt that the presence of workers from their own ethnic group would ease access to mediation services. All focus group participants were Christians.
Cohabitation is considered a realistic first step prior to marriage.
No community specific reasons were cited for breakdown of marital relationships. The participants felt that friends and family were sources of support in situations of domestic dispute. Even after divorce partners remain a part of the family and it is not unusual for children to remain in contact with both parents. Most participants were unaware of family mediation services but felt that these should be culturally sensitive and that the workers should have an understanding of issues related to family, marriage and children in their community. The participants were Hindus and Sikhs.