California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Custody Battles Increase Sharply

The number of child custody fights have risen sharply in recent years, as have pressures on families and awareness of domestic violence and child abuse, experts said. The number of custody mediation cases jumped 24% over the past three years, according to a new survey by the statewide Office of Family Court Services. “I think more people are suffering,” said Larry Lehner, coordinator of a training conference for mediators from throughout the state. “Families are under a great deal of stress.” Mediators attributed the increase in custody disputes to a combination of deteriorating family conditions, greater awareness of violence and abuse, and quicker intervention. The survey found that among 1,700 custody mediation cases, 65% involved domestic violence, nearly 40% involved substance abuse, 30% involved child neglect and 26% involved either physical or sexual child abuse.