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The family group conference in the New Zealand children, young persons, and their families act of 1989 (CYP&F): review and evaluation
Author(s) -
Levine Murray
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/1099-0798(2000)18:4<517::aid-bsl402>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - family law , jurisprudence , economic justice , therapeutic jurisprudence , sociology , criminology , law , political science , medicine , psychiatry , mental health
The family group conference is an innovation introduced into New Zealand law as a means of resolving child protection and youth justice cases. The law requires the conference to include the offender, the victim, the extended family, and other relevant parties. This article reviews New Zealand research and commentary, and publications reporting on experiences with the methods in other countries. The discussion emphasizes problems in adapting a method based on one culture to a different culture and social organization. The article also considers the law from the viewpoint of therapeutic jurisprudence. Although the research is sparse, the FGC has strong promise for resolving problems, enhancing the sense of community and participation, and empowering families. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.