WHAT IS PARENTAL ALIENATION?
Parental alienation is when one parent deliberately tries to damage the other parents relationship with the child. This can look like isolating and withholding the child from the other parent, and it can also look like influencing the child to reject the other parent, be it badmouthing the other parent, telling the child that the other parent doesn’t love them, that the other parent is a bad person etc.
It is a recognized form of child abuse in New Zealand, and while it is a criminal offense in other countries, it is not yet a criminal offense in New Zealand.
HOW COMMON IS PARENTAL ALIENATION?
Research indicates 11-15% of divorces end with some form of parental alienation.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ALIENATION ON THE EFFECTED CHILDREN?
Retrospective studies on alienated children have been conducted. They found adult children of alienation are far more likely to be alienated from their own children. They are at higher risk of mental illnesses such as substance abuse, anxiety and depression, anger, and self worth issues.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ALIENATION ON THE TARGETED PARENT?
In a study of parents who were victims of parental alienation, 23% had attempted suicide. In another study 54% of alienated parents had considered suicide. Targeted parents of parental alienation are at increased risk of anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self worth, and dealing with feelings of distress, grief and despair at having their children stolen from them.
WHY MAKE PARENTAL ALIENATION A CRIMINAL OFFENSE?
Because it causes a severe amount of psychological harm to the affected child and parent. Because it is completely avoidable. And to deter people from beginning alienating behaviours in the first place.
