Parental Alienation vs Safeguarding: When Courts Get It Wrong

Few issues in family law are as controversial as parental alienation.

It describes situations where one parent deliberately damages a child’s relationship with the other.

True alienation can be deeply harmful.

But there is a growing concern among safeguarding professionals that the concept is sometimes misused in court.

When Protection Is Mislabelled

In cases involving domestic abuse, children may resist contact with a parent for legitimate reasons.

Fear.

Trauma.

Past experiences.

Yet these reactions are sometimes interpreted as evidence of alienation rather than signs of harm.

This creates a dangerous risk: Protective parents can be accused of manipulation simply for trying to keep children safe.

Courts face an extremely difficult task:

Protecting children from harm while preserving relationships with both parents.

But when abuse allegations are dismissed too quickly, the system can unintentionally prioritise contact over safety.

That is when mistakes happen.

And the consequences for children can be severe.

Every case must start with one question: Is the child safe?

Before considering parental conflict.

Before considering accusations.

Before considering contact arrangements.

Because when safeguarding is treated as secondary, children become the ones who pay the price.

Family law sits at the intersection of justice, safety, and childhood wellbeing.

But the system can only work properly when it recognises the realities families face:-

• Domestic abuse

• Financial control

• Neurodiversity

• Safeguarding concerns

Ignoring these realities does not create fairness.

It creates risk.

And the children caught in the middle deserve better.

Deanna Newell Family Law

Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better