Woman stabbed to death in antisocial behaviour dispute
This recent headline reminds us how neighbourhood and community disputes can escalate out of control, sometimes with tragic results. Yet many of these disputes – even where violence is threatened or alleged - could be resolved quickly and effectively with the help of community mediation.
Marilyn Webster, CEO of Mediation Works says: “While this is an extreme case, it highlights the fact that many people confronted by antisocial behaviour feel powerless when it comes to resolving it. Sometimes complaints are not responded to; sometimes no-one knows who to complain to.”
“Our advice to anyone experiencing these sorts of problems is to approach their landlord, housing association or council to see if they are willing to use mediation. It will resolve cases much more quickly and cheaply than court action or eviction, and pave the way for all members of the community to achieve workable solutions and have the confidence to tackle similar problems in the future.”
Mediation Works has an impressive record in resolving community and neighbourhood disputes. We have worked with government departments and agencies, local authorities, housing associations, ombudsmen and residents’ groups. Our mediators specialise in issues such as noise, parking, boundary disputes, high hedges, problems with gangs and other forms of antisocial behaviour. It can provide a way forward where there are no legal remedies. Our results are excellent– one of our housing association clients has reported a 92% success rate.
This recent headline reminds us how neighbourhood and community disputes can escalate out of control, sometimes with tragic results. Yet many of these disputes – even where violence is threatened or alleged - could be resolved quickly and effectively with the help of community mediation.
Marilyn Webster, CEO of Mediation Works says: “While this is an extreme case, it highlights the fact that many people confronted by antisocial behaviour feel powerless when it comes to resolving it. Sometimes complaints are not responded to; sometimes no-one knows who to complain to.”
“Our advice to anyone experiencing these sorts of problems is to approach their landlord, housing association or council to see if they are willing to use mediation. It will resolve cases much more quickly and cheaply than court action or eviction, and pave the way for all members of the community to achieve workable solutions and have the confidence to tackle similar problems in the future.”
Mediation Works has an impressive record in resolving community and neighbourhood disputes. We have worked with government departments and agencies, local authorities, housing associations, ombudsmen and residents’ groups. Our mediators specialise in issues such as noise, parking, boundary disputes, high hedges, problems with gangs and other forms of antisocial behaviour. It can provide a way forward where there are no legal remedies. Our results are excellent– one of our housing association clients has reported a 92% success rate.