We take a gender-inclusive approach in everything we do. With this in mind, an integral part of that is to dispel the myths that surround the harmful parental behaviours referred to as parental alienation.
We have seen an ever-increasing amount of disinformation by partisan, gender-biased researchers and a gross distortion when it is represented as: “only a means for abusive fathers to continue victimizing mothers.”
This is categorically false. We work alongside thousands of alienated mothers as well as fathers. Fathers are only more likely to experience alienation because they are less likely to have residence.
Of course, this makes the mere reference of parental alienation anathema to many judges and magistrates working in family courts, who have been subjected to this blanket falsehood.
This is not a gender issue, nor has it ever been. It is a legislative issue, a mental health issue and a public health issue of extreme magnitude.
The harmful behaviours that affect alienated fathers are exactly the same as those that affect alienated mothers.
Until we remove the gendered lens, we cannot help all victims and we cannot protect their children.