New initiative equips grassroots professionals to resolve domestic and family disputes outside court

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, 32 social workers from across the country have been certified as family mediators after completing an intensive seven-day training program held at the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Gachibowli.

Organised jointly by the Invisible Scars Foundation and IAMC Hyderabad, the 70-hour Family Mediation Training Program is a landmark step in promoting trauma-informed, community-based dispute resolution. The training was fully funded under the CSR initiative of Centific, a global digital solutions firm.

“This marks the beginning of a new era—where family mediators are trained to support survivors of family and domestic violence and restore peace with dignity,” said the organisers.

The participants came from diverse regions, including Ajmer, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Hazaribagh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nalgonda, Pune, and Warangal. The cohort comprised social workers, psychologists, and law enforcement officers—all now certified to mediate matrimonial and family conflicts within their communities.

Upon certification, they are empanelled with IAMC and will support mediation efforts across sectors such as gender-based violence (GBV), WASH, education, and healthcare. The training featured a nationally respected panel of experts including;

Susheela Sarathi, Senior Trainer with the Supreme Court’s Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC), Tanu Mehta, Mediator and Trainer, Mumbai, K.S. Sarma, Founder of HAMPS Bio Ltd and former CEO of Prasar Bharati, Dr. Varudhini Kankipati, Co-founder of Inner Connect Psychological Counselling Centre, The program was inaugurated by Ms. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General, Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, who shared her experience as a trained mediator and encouraged more professionals to adopt this “transformative tool.”

“Family mediation is not just a legal tool—it’s a healing process,” said Ekta Viiveck Verma, Founder of Invisible Scars Foundation. “This program equips grassroots professionals to resolve conflicts with empathy and dignity. It’s a major step toward building a survivor-first support system.”

The curriculum covered trauma-informed practice, communication, family law, negotiation, and ethics, combining theory with practical assessments. IAMC’s A.J. Jawad, Lead Faculty and Registrar, called it “a national first,” noting that empowering non-legal professionals with real-world mediation tools will help address the growing crisis in domestic and family disputes.

India faces a backlog of approximately 4.91 lakh domestic violence cases. The burden on the courts, coupled with the emotional toll on families, underscores the need for sensitive, timely, and private alternatives. Family mediation offers a solution that saves time, reduces stress, and fosters resolution without litigation. Importantly, outcomes achieved through family mediation are not subject to further court challenge. “We are a mediation nation,” said Verma. “Culturally, Indians have long resolved disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding. This program formalises that strength in a professional and scalable way.”

According to available reports, 50–60% of cases referred to mediation in India are successfully resolved—a promising trend as calls grow for expanding mediation across the country. Invisible Scars Foundation is already receiving numerous requests for similar training programs. The organisation is now seeking partnerships with philanthropic institutions to scale its efforts and train more professionals.