The end of a relationship is difficult, whatever the reason, and inevitably has an effect on any children you have together.
Sometimes the impact on the children is significant and can lead to certain behaviours – reluctance, resistance, and refusal – with regard to the relationship with one of you following separation.
In such circumstances, it is important that the voice of the child is not lost. What are the reasons for those behaviours? It is all too easy to assume the other parent is somehow influencing them, but that is not always the case.
Parental Alienation: An Overview
There are many reasons why a child favours one parent over another – attachment, affinity, alignment – all of which may well have predated the separation. In some cases, there may have been domestic abuse either towards the child or witnessed by the child. The refusal in such circumstances could be considered an appropriate and justified rejection – an understandable response. It can also be the instinctive nature of the parent to protect a child where there have been such lived experiences.
However, there are circumstances where one parent will psychologically manipulate the child against the other parent. That is parental alienation. It is a question of fact and not a diagnosis to be made. There must be a direct or indirect impact on the child that has led to the reluctance, resistance, or refusal. The alienating behaviour must have caused the breakdown in the parent/child relationship.
If parental alienation exists, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible, inevitably through an application to the court. The evidence should be highlighted at the earliest stage. If established, all possible options need to be considered. Previously, it might have automatically led to a psychological assessment and change of residence, but the voice of the child should not be lost. Whilst assessments might be appropriate alongside welfare reports, there might also be reparative work and even consideration of joining the child as a party to the proceedings.
Contact Howell Jones for Assistance
The Surrey Family Law team at Howell Jones has a wealth of experience in dealing with contested contact cases, including the challenges of parental alienation and domestic abuse issues. If any of this sounds familiar, please contact our Surrey solicitors on 01932 234500 to receive expert advice.
