Review Cafcass approach to "parental alienation"

The Government’s report - Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases – highlights that submissions from mothers and support organisations indicated that they felt that the court’s approach to allegations of domestic abuse and counter allegations of "parental alienation" was sexist and discriminatory.

We believe that there is a misguided and damaging practice within Cafcass that identifies “alienating behaviours” when domestic abuse is reported and a child is in any way reluctant to see one parent. Children can be at risk following domestic violence and as the Government report recommended, the presumption of parental involvement should be reviewed urgently in order to address its detrimental effects.