Parental Alienation AwarenessParental Alienation AwarenessRobin Denison Theresa Martin

Roger Coe

Overview

I. Recognizing Parental Alienation A. Definition & Behaviors B. Effects & Implications for Florida’s Children

II. Florida’s Initiatives in Recognition of the Importance of Shared Parental Responsibility

A. Bill CS/CS/SB 2532 and Changes to § F.S. Ch. 61 B. Purposes

III. Guidelines for Dealing With Parental Alienation

Parental Alienation Defined

Parental Alienation involves a series of negative behaviors that can effectively alienate a child from a parent, are often seen in high-conflict divorce or custody cases, and involves a third party.

Note: Even if a child does not become alienated as a result of these behaviors, exposing a child to these behaviors is a form of psychological abuse.

(CDC Child Maltreatment Surveillance-Uniform Definitions, Jan., 2008)

Parental Alienation exposes children to behaviors that

interfere with the parent-child bond.

Recognizing Alienating Behaviors( Douglas Darnall, Ph.D.)

Speaking negatively about a parent to, or in front of, a child. Interfering with parenting time and/or parent-child communication. Instilling unwarranted fear of a parent in a child.

Failing to inform a parent of health, academic, or special event information.

Using a child to covertly gather information about a parent Involving a child in false claims of abuse Telling a child a parent never loved/wanted them Falsely telling a child a parent is dead

Note: All of these behaviors have the potential to damage a child psychologically or emotionally. (CDC Child Maltreatment Surveillance-Uniform Definitions. Jan., 2008)

Parental AlienationEffects and Implications

Alienated children show an inability to feel empathy or guilt, while professing unwarranted fear, anger, or hatred toward a parent.

They show a lack of respect toward the parent and other authority figures (school, law enforcement). They often refuse any kind of relationship with the parent.

“Children are negatively affected when they experience limited contact with either parent following separation or divorce.”

(Dr. Joan Kelly)

Implications for Florida’s Children

Parental Alienation can result in Low Self-Esteem, Depression, Drug/Alcohol Abuse, Lack of trust and difficulties with intimate relationships.

Dr. Joan Kelly, states some 10-15% of divorces are high-conflict.

Of the approximate 130,000 Florida Children affected annually by divorce, some 13,000-20,000 are at high risk of being exposed to psychologically abusive behaviors.

(figures from US Census Bureau)

The impact begins to be seen in juvenile court cases, increased school drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, and drug and alcohol-related incidents.

Florida’s Initiatives in Recognition of the Importance of Shared Parental Responsibility

“to remove references to ‘custody’, ‘visitation’, ‘primary residence’, and labeling of ‘primary and secondary parent’”

“to mitigate the potential harm to children caused by legal dissolution of marriage”

“to ensure frequent and continuing contact with both parents, even after divorce”

Senate Bill CS/CS/SB 2532 substantially amends § F.S. Chap. 61. Among the purposes of § F.S. Chap. 61, soon to be entitled:“Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time-Sharing” are:

We acknowledge this Bill as a forward step in considering the best interests of Florida’s children, in that it brings more balance between parents and helps to

ensure a relationship with both parents following divorce..

We thank the Legislature and the Governor for its implementation.

Guidelines for Dealing With Parental Alienation

Note: Parental Alienation usually results from consciously chosen behavior rather than from an organic disease or pathology in the alienating parent.

Resources might include:

• Education of judges regarding the role of the judiciary in the genesis of Parental Alienation

• Increased utilization of Guardians ad Litem who have been educated in the alienating process

• Appointment of parenting coordinators for high-conflict parents

THE KEY IS EARLY DETECTION, AND SWIFT, DECISIVE INTERVENTION BY THE COURTS.

Guidelines for Dealing With Parental Alienation

“A View From the Bench,” features the Honorable Mark Armstrong, former presiding judge of the Phoenix area family court system.

This video was designed to inform Family Court judges about mild, moderate, and severe forms of parental alienation.

This video assists in identifying chronic violators and in providing interventions that Courts can take to stop the alienation of children from a parent.

Guidelines for Dealing With Parental Alienation

Judge Armstrong sums up his three-pronged approach:

1. Therapy

2. Family Court Advisor/Parenting Coordinator

3. Sanctions for non-compliance

Judge Armstrong suggests:

a. Periodic review of high-conflict cases. (3 mo.)

b. Clear and specific court orders

c. Delegation of treatment, but not decision-making, to therapeutic interventionists

State Recognition

We wish to thank Governor Crist for signing SB2532 and for being among the leaders of the 15 governors in issuing proclamations declaring

April 25th

Parental Alienation Awareness Day

References

Baker, Amy JL (2007), Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome-Breaking the Ties that Bind; NY: W.W. Norton

Darnell, Douglas (1993), Divorce Casualties, Protecting Your Children From Parental Alienation; Lanham, MD: Taylor Trade Publishing

Kelly, Joan (2005), Keynote Address: The United States Experience; available at:

http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/frtforum/kelly.doc

“A View From the Bench”, Clerk of Superior Court, Maricopa County, AZ

Warshak, Richard A. (2001), Divorce Poison; NY: Harper Collins Publishing