WINNIPEG — NDP Critic for Families, Children and Social Development and Women and Gender Equality Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) along with the NDP supports the call from the National Association of Women and the Law and over 250 other feminist organizations in Canada for legal reform to ban accusations of parental alienation from an abusive parent.
“In situations before the courts, the well-being of the child should always come first. Instead of protecting children from the abusive behaviour of a parent, accusations of “parental alienation” are being weaponized by abusers to discredit the testimonies of their victims” stated Gazan.
As it stands now, parents who provide the courts with evidence of their partner’s abuse are being silenced and discredited by these accusations, allowing the abusive partner in many cases to take full custody of the children who suffer under their violent and coercive behaviour.
“We know that these false accusations have become widespread in Canadian family law, but also internationally, and Canada has a duty to act in the best interest of families, children, and all survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence through legal reform to ban accusations of parental alienation by domestic abusers.
With so many challenges already facing survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence in Canada, lawmakers must take decisive action to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard, their testimonies are believed, and their lives are protected from violence” concluded Gazan.