Thread by @CCChatMagazine

Now onto alienation:
#familycourts
#domesticabuse
#children
#ParentalAlienation

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

“Multiple submissions argued that the increasing use of the term ‘parental alienation’ could silence children.”

- If children have been alienated, then their wishes and feelings are seen as contaminated.

- A parent who is the subject of the allegation will be treated as an ‘alienator’, rather than as a protective parent with well-founded fears around abduction or violence.

🚩🚩🚩“ A number of submissions raised concerns about professionals jumping to a conclusion that a child refusing to spend time with an abusive parent had been alienated, rather than considering the refusal to be a result of an abusive parent’s behaviour. “ 🚩🚩🚩
#familycourts

NB : “This definition of parental alienation is not recognised as one which is utilised, or applied, by the Family Court, by all of the panel members, in particular those for the Association of Lawyers for Children and judicial panel members”

“ Others noted that professionals were too ready to see signs of alienation, and so silencing children, rather than assessing further what the child may have witnessed or experienced.”

“ several submissions from fathers drew a distinction between the child’s expressed and real wishes and feelings and argued that expressed wishes against contact should not be taken literally. “

Some fathers in DVIP focus group said they had also thought that their children’s reported views must have been influenced by their mothers, as those views did not accord with narrative they had in their minds (e.g. children were in bed, had heard nothing, were very young etc)

They admitted they had previously had NO UNDERSTANDING of the impact of their abuse on their children, but taking the course had helped them understand the trauma caused even to the very youngest children from living with abuse.

🚩🚩🚩 Thus, while ‘alienation’ may have become a common counter-allegation, submissions highlighted the very real dangers of accepting this as the default explanation for children not wanting contact. 🚩🚩🚩

#familycourts
#ParentalAlienation