The Human Cost
The Impact on Children
Parental alienation destroys childhoods. Learn about the devastating effects on children and why we must fight to protect them at all costs.
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental Alienation is a form of psychological child abuse where one parent systematically manipulates a child to reject, fear, or hate the other parent without legitimate justification. It is a deliberate campaign to destroy the bond between a child and their targeted parent.
Common Tactics Include:
- •Making false allegations of abuse or neglect
- •Limiting or interfering with contact and communication
- •Telling the child the other parent doesn't love them
- •Forcing the child to choose sides
- •Erasing the targeted parent from the child's life
Warning Signs in Children:
- •Sudden, unexplained rejection of a previously loved parent
- •Using adult language to describe grievances
- •Black-and-white thinking about parents
- •Lack of guilt about cruel behavior toward targeted parent
- •Reflexive support of the alienating parent
The Harmful Effects on Children
Psychological Damage
- • Depression and anxiety
- • Low self-esteem
- • Identity confusion
- • Trust issues
- • Guilt and shame
Long-term Consequences
- • Difficulty forming relationships
- • Higher rates of substance abuse
- • Increased risk of divorce
- • Perpetuating alienation patterns
- • Estrangement from extended family
Impact on Development
- • Academic difficulties
- • Social isolation
- • Behavioral problems
- • Emotional dysregulation
- • Loss of childhood experiences
The False Allegation Playbook
Understanding how false allegations are weaponized in custody battles
False allegations of abuse—particularly sexual abuse—have become a devastating weapon in high-conflict custody cases. These allegations can destroy innocent parents while the real victim, the child, suffers the most.
How the System Fails:
- ✗Presumption of guilt before investigation
- ✗Immediate removal of contact with children
- ✗No consequences for proven false allegations
- ✗Years of legal battles to prove innocence
- ✗Alienation continues during investigation
What Should Happen:
- ✓Thorough, unbiased investigation
- ✓Protection of parent-child relationship during process
- ✓Criminal charges for proven false allegations
- ✓Recognition of alienation as abuse
- ✓Reunification therapy when allegations disproven
Research & Resources
Research resources are being compiled. Check back soon.