NJ Group Fights 'Parental Alienation' In Separations And Divorces

NEW JERSEY — A New Jersey nonprofit organization went to Trenton recently on Parental Alienation Awareness Day to raise awareness about "parental alienation," or the practice of a separated parent badmouthing the other parent and finding ways to erase him or her from a child's life.

The issue is not clear-cut: While advocates note that alienation can cause harm to both a parent and child, advocates for domestic violence victims point out that false claims of parental alienation have been used by a parent who has been separated from their kids because of abuse.

The bigger issue — experts say — is that the family court system is overloaded, can't take the proper amount of time to decide an intricate series of issues, and is in need of reform.

Critics of family courts say that in a high-conflict divorce or separation, the person with the most money can hire experts, choose their own therapists for the kids, and pay for expensive lawyers to make claims against the other parent.

Thus, only after a comprehensive review can mediators or judges make decisions that are in the best interest of the child.

Julie Grayson, the director of Education and Public Policy at Family Network Political Action Committee (FAN PAC), told NJ 101.5 that as many as half a million New Jersey children may be affected by parental alienation, which could cause both emotional distress in a child and heartbreak for a parent.

Grayson said the group is"representing the interests of New Jersey voters that advance legislative policies to advocate for children to have equal access to fit parents without government interference."

'I Love You'

On April 26, both male and female supporters of the group created a "Wall of Hope" at the State House Annex in Trenton, posting hearts and stuffed animals with messages of "I love you" and more.

Their intent was to remind children that their decision to divorce or separate doesn't mean they don't want to see them (See video here).

The Weinberger Law group in New Jersey said judges are cognizant today of all kinds of parental alienation issues.

"Today, New Jersey judges are taking cases of parental alienation more seriously and are putting remedies and safeguards in court orders," they noted.

A family court lawyer said that the important thing — in a high conflict situation with accusations flung in either direction — is to make sure the children don't suffer.

"Try to keep an eye on your children to make sure they don’t get confused or hurt in the process," wrote Janet McCullar.

Read more about the group FAN-PAC here.

(READ MORE: Ocean County family court judge told a woman to "close your legs")