Journal Article:
(2019). Parental alienation, coaching and the best interests of the child: Allegations of child sexual abuse in the Family Court of Australia. Child Abuse & Neglect 94(104045), 1-10. Retrieved from URL: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AqneSWcIBOtasucO_EXBEtfN7mmvMw?e=skUxMs Parameters: Critics, Legal, Quantitative Research
Type of Citation:
Journal Article
Parameters:
Critics
Legal
Quantitative Research
Language:
English
Country:
Australia
Year:
2019
Keywords:
Family Law
Parental Alienation
Child Sexual Abuse
Separation
Periodical or Book Full Title:
Child Abuse & Neglect
Pages:
1-10
Volume:
94
Number:
104045
Publisher:
Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date:
August 2019
ISBN/ISSN:
ISSN: 0145-2134
Abstract:
Background: Allegations of child sexual abuse provide complex challenges to family court systems.
Objectives: Despite being highly criticised in the academic research, this analysis examined
whether and how the gendered concepts of parental alienation syndrome or parental alienation
more broadly are still being used to rebut allegations of child sexual abuse in family court cases in
Australia. Parental Alienation is broadly understood as the deliberate actions of one parent to
disrupt and prevent children’s ongoing relationships with their other parent, in this case through
allegations of abuse.
Methods: We examined 357 publicly available judgements of the Family Court of Australia between
2010 and 2015. Judgements were analysed qualitatively for key themes using N-VIVO
software.
Results: Five themes emerged in the data, including use of the concept of parental alienation,
coaching, mothers as manipulative, mothers as mentally ill, and impact of the best interest of the
child.
Conclusions: Results indicate that judgements made in the Family Court of Australia are both
similar and divergent from those made in other jurisdictions internationally. The complexity of
responding to allegations of child sexual abuse for parents is discussed.
URL:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AqneSWcIBOtasucO_EXBEtfN7mmvMw?e=skUxMs
Electronic Resource Number:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104045