Parental alienation is known as the emotional manipulation that a parent exerts on the children so that they reject the other parent. It is commonly found in the processes of separations or conflictive divorces in which the parents are playing the custody of the children.
This increased tension between the parties is unfortunately passed on to the children.
Many know this figure as a “subtle” form of child abuse because it is considered by professionals as an “alteration of the psychological and emotional development of the child”.
Examples of parental alignment include the child’s outright refusal to visit the other parent, refusal to spend time with the other parent, one parent questioning or criticizing everything the other parent does or does not do, and so on. This is commonly known as “brainwashing”. Many of these alienated children end up being afraid or ashamed of the other parent, which is why they do not want to spend time with him/her.
Parental alienation can be diagnosed by a professional, such as a psychologist. In this case, if we want it to be used as evidence in a trial, we must prove its existence through a psychological evaluation of the child. How can we use it as evidence in a trial? By requesting the psychologist to make an Expert Report in which the psychological evaluation of the minor is stated.
Therefore, if you believe that your child is suffering parental alienation by the other parent, you must also demonstrate the existence of other evidence such as WhatsApp messages, recordings etc., that this is occurring. If you find yourself in this situation, do not hesitate to write to us and we will inform you in detail how to proceed.
Anna Nicolàs Torán
Lawyer Expert in Family Law
M&CAbogados
