Parental Alienation is the term given to the act of one parent attempting to turn their child against the other parent.

The inference in parental alienation allegations is that a child is being made to believe things that are not true about a parent.

In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the use of Parental Alienation allegations being made as counterclaims in domestic abuse cases. These counter allegations suggest that the abuse claim is false, and its sole purpose is to manipulate the child’s views towards the accused.

It has unfortunately become quite common to see that these counter allegations are often made by genuine perpetrators of domestic abuse, in a last-ditch attempt to reunite them with those they have been abusing. Indeed, it is estimated that allegations of parental alienation are now made in nearly 70% of family court cases in England & Wales.

Importantly, CPS data shows that false allegations of domestic abuse are also extremely rare.  Therefore, here at Watson Ramsbottom we believe that where parental alienation allegations are made solely as a counter to domestic abuse claims, they are almost entirely without foundation.

The fact that these – often false – allegations are deemed acceptable in the courts, can put domestic abuse survivors at severe risk of further mental or physical harm as they could then be legally required to co-parent with their abuser.

Therefore, if you are accused of Parental Alienation, it is vital to have trustworthy lawyers on your side who understand the seriousness of the matter and the potential consequences that could be on the horizon. At Watson Ramsbottom, we can help you understand your legal rights and obligations and advise you on the best course of action.

If you’ve been wrongly accused of alienating an abusive partner, please get in touch. Our family department have a wealth of experience in dealing with such situations.

Call us on 01254 67 22 22 to speak to an expert.