Parental alienation 'a divisive, under-researched, and complex issue', says support group
The aim of the consultation process was to seek the views of stakeholders and individuals around the issue of parental alienation.
A final report on parental alienation in other jurisdictions is currently being reviewed by the Department of Justice as part of a process examining whether policy or legislative changes are required in Ireland.
Submissions received by the department in response to a consultation process launched in February by Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, on the same issue are also under review.
The aim of the consultation process was to seek the views of stakeholders and individuals around the issue of parental alienation.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said: “All views, opinions, and experiences submitted as part of that consultation have been welcomed. Those responses received are currently under review.
He added: “The Department also arranged for a separate strand of independent research on parental alienation in other jurisdictions to be carried out last year. A final report has been received by the Department and is now being reviewed.”
He said that both the research and the public consultation will create a deeper understanding of the issue, and inform the department’s consideration of policy and legislation in the area.
He added: “Work is ongoing to integrate these strands of work, and a report will be prepared outlining the outcome of the research and consultation process and any resulting recommendations to arise from it in due course.
In one of the submissions received in the consultation process, One Family, a support group for one-parent families, says that the concept of parental alienation is a “divisive, under-researched and complex issue, which is often misunderstood and sometimes misrepresented”.
In its submission, Alienated Children First, which provides peer support to parents affected by parental alienation, said that its objective is that “the policy, principles, and supports will be put in place” to address parental alienation. It said parental alienation is a form of child abuse.
Meanwhile, Women’s Aid warned that successful use of parental alienation claims by an abuser could result in a child ending up in their custody, “and remove or severely limit the presence of the protective parent, strongly increasing the risk of harm”.
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