A charity is aiming to help ease the devastating impact the process of divorce can have on children.

Figures released by the Family Mediation Association say 42% of marriages are expected to end in divorce, therefore it is important to consider all of the options during this time.

This week is Family Mediation Week, which aims to raise awareness of the benefits and law behind family mediation.

So what is mediation?

It’s a way of making separating couples take control, make decisions for the future and build a positive future for their family.

During this week of awareness the Family Mediation Association wants to inform people that lawyers and courts aren’t their only divorce option.

The charity says alternative options such as mediation and collaborative family law and arbitration are often quicker, cheaper and less confrontational than the traditional court process.

Euan Davidson is from the Godalming branch of the charity and tells Eagle: “It is very hard for children, because they find they’re getting stuck between both parents.

“Even if parents are getting on quite well together when they separate, it’s very difficult for children to work out what they should so – and who they should say it to.

“What used to happen in the past is that when parents couldn’t agree things themselves, they would each go and see separate lawyers and they’d end up in the court system.

“You’d either have a point where you don’t listen to the children at all, or they end up in this contested court process, so doing it in a mediation environment it can all be kept confidentially within that process.

“I think what the government could be doing and the court system in general, and solicitors, is putting forward mediation as the very first step.

“That’s the main message I would say is that if you’re in the situation of separating or divorcing – go and see a mediator first.”

For more information visit the Family Mediation website.