Happy Parenting – Malta (for Happier Children) is currently holding a 17 day awareness campaign on Parental Alienation across Gozo and Malta.
As from last Saturday, the Organisation has embarked on visits to different local councils in Gozo and Malta with a clear aim of making people, including professionals, more aware of what Parental Alienation is and how it damages the family system.
Representatives have so far visited Sannat and Qala in Gozo, while in Malta they have visited Msida, Gzira and Dingli. They are delivering a clear message that Parental Alienation is Family Violence, reiterating that in their lives, children need both parents.
The organisation explained that Parental Alienation occurs when a parent (the favoured parent) manipulates the children to unjustly reject the other parent (the targeted parent).
“Specific behaviours they engage themselves in, including lies and brainwashing, are referred to as Parental Alienation strategies, leaving the targeted parent in a very fragile situation, denied access to his/her own children, who from their end start to badly perceive the targeted parent,” it added.
“When Parental Alienation is in place, the children will also be subjected to long-term negative effects, including ones of psychological and emotional nature through splitting,” Happy Parenting – Malta said. “The alienator could possibly be suffering from mental health issues or might be suffering from a personality disorder.”
It went on to say that “in all Parental Alienation cases there is an urgent need for support to the whole family. By way of explaining Parental Alienation, one has to clearly distinguish it from estrangement cases, where a parent abuses of or behaves badly towards the children who in return cut off all contact with him/her.”
During this 17 Day campaign, a black Christmas tree is being used to symbolise the sadness such families experience. “Instead of a merry and jolly season full of light and peace, families caught up in Alienation only go through dull times full of sadness,” the organisation said.
For further details on Happy Parenting – Malta (for Happier Children), please contact 77603330.
Photos: Campaign visits to Qala and Sannat