Developing online support and counseling to enhance family dispute resolution in Australia

Participation in online support and counseling constitutes an essential but often overlooked second step in the Lodder-Zeleznikow (Harv Negot Law Rev 10:287-337, 2005, Enhanced dispute resolution through the use of information technology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2010) model of online dispute resolution; dialogue techniques. This paper highlights the potential role that online support and counseling can play in avoiding extreme family conflict and potential hazardous litigation. The research centers on a case study organization, Relationships Australia Victoria, who provide counseling and support services and who are moving toward online service delivery. It analyzes this case and contrasts it with relevant international cases to identify key considerations and approaches for those developing, enhancing and evaluating online support and counseling sites in the future. The goal of this research is to assist Relationships Australia Victoria to construct online support and counseling services for isolated men, who have lost day-to day contact with their children and have diminished social networks, so that they might enhance the quality of life of both their children and themselves. The lessons learned in this research are relevant for the wider use of online support and counseling services by separating parents.