The Columbus Pilot project was developed by the Family Court of Western Australia to assist, enable, and encourage separated parents to acknowledge the debilitating effects of continuing conflict, violence or abusive behaviour, and to encourage couples to resolve their differences without recourse to prolonged litigation in the Family Court. The Project has acted as a catalyst for a number of changes as both the judicial officers and counselling service staff have developed new skills and knowledge in what is a difficult area of family litigation and dispute resolution.