Minister for Children’s Rights Michael Falzon said that during the Covid-19 pandemic a rise in the phenomena was noticed and immediate intervention is required. The Minister was addressing a press conference announcing a newly formed Technical Committee that will tackle the topic of Parental Alienation.
The Committee was announced during a combined press conference between the Minister for Children’s Rights Michael Falzon and the Minster for Justice Edward Zammit Lewis.
Parental alienation is described as a process through which a child becomes estranged from a parent as the result of the psychological manipulation of another parent.
This usually occurs during cases of separation when parents are fighting for the child’s custody. Studies show that this may result in the child’s estrangement and may manifest itself as fear, disrespect or hostility toward the distant parent, and may extend to additional relatives or parties.
The professionals selected to form the committee are Chairperson Dr Andy Ellul, General Secretary Dr Fleur Abela, members Pauline Miceli, Mary Gauci, Dr Audrey Friggieri and Steve Liberi.
Minister Zammit Lewis expressed the need that professionals that face such cases need to be trained as well. He gave an example the Judiciary, lawyers, members of the Police Force and Social Workers.
According to researchers Sanford L. Braver; Jeffrey T. Cookston and Bruce R. Cohen in their publication, “Experiences of Family Law Attorneys With Current Issues in Divorce Practice”, (October 2002) the phenomena may also be inflicted by the interference of certain professionals during family disputes.
