For the past few weeks, we have been discussing parental alienation, the impact it has on families, and the court’s response. If you have not already done so, we suggest you check out the following insightful and informative posts:
We have already established that parental alienation can be carried out by parents, as well as stepparents and grandparents. Additionally, parental alienation is not gender-specific, and there does not need to be a history of intimate partner violence for a parent to display and perpetuate alienating behaviours. In this blog, we will be exploring instances where there is a history of intimate partner violence and how parental alienation has been used as a tool to continue the cycle of family violence and punish victims of intimate partner violence.
Control is one of the primary tools used by an abusive partner. When a separation occurs, and particularly if the parties are no longer living together, an abusive partner is faced with the reality that they may not be able to control their partner in the same ways they might have been prior to separating. One response to this sudden loss of control is to use parental alienation as a tool to continue the pattern of abuse. As the goal of alienation is to control the narrative children have of the alienated parent and ultimately destroy the relationship between the alienated parent and child, an abusive partner may resort to these inaccurate claims of parental alienation to punish their partner for leaving and attempting to free themselves from their abusive circumstances. The goal of this is to regain and maintain control over their partner.
These false claims of parental alienation are a particularly sinister tactic used by abusive partners to punish partners who have disclosed a history of family violence in their Family Law Application. The relief the courts consider in situations where domestic violence is present typically differs from other family law proceedings and may include:
An abusive partner may raise the claim of parental alienation in an attempt to shift the focus of the court to their false claims and undermine the claims by the victim. For example, an abuser may claim a victim is seeking a parenting order to further alienate the children from them when, in fact, the parent seeking the order is doing so because an abuser has threatened harm to the children. The cycle of abuse is continued through these tactics and can be devastating if the abuser is granted relief by the court.
At INB Family Law, we aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for those impacted by intimate partner violence and parental alienation. Our skilled lawyers can help you navigate the legal system and provide you with the necessary legal support to protect yourself and your children. Please contact us to book a consultation and explore your options.