Warring parents are said to be using coronavirus as a weapon to stop their estranged partners spending time with their children.
On top of this, a leading campaigner against has revealed how many parents are killing themselves because of parental alienation.
Andrew John Teague, from D.A.D.s and NAAP, said this: “I was up until 5am with suicidal members. Then later was told about another dad who had taken his life. I think we could have saved 300 people in the last four years, this is dreadful.
“The courts across the world don’t want to admit there is parental alienation … we need to educate these people in power about what is happening and stop people being forced to feel so low about their relationships with their children that they go to these tragic lengths.
“I have spoken to well in excess of 100 members in the last year who have been suicidal and I know of many who have survived overdoses and self-medication with alcohol. And coronavirus has become a new weapon to push people over the edge with.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minster Boris Johnson’s divorce lawyer stepped in to the arena after being consulted over a case of PA, based on fears of coronavirus.
A mother approached Neil Russell, a solicitor at the London law firm, Seddons, saying that her children didn’t want to visit their father because they were afraid they could end up not being able to get back to their usual home.
Russell said: ‘I have been doing this for 30 years and I have not seen anything like it concerning money or children.
‘In many situations childcare arrangements may be precarious, and we have a catastrophic pandemic that is unsettling fragile working relationships between separated parents.
‘Where there is already distrust between parents, this virus inflates that distrust.’
Across in America, researchers claim that 22 million adults, and close to 4 million children, have been victimized PA and say that 47% of moderately to severely alienated parents had contemplated suicide within the past year.
Andrew told the heartbreaking story from last year of a 31-year-old mother who had to be taken to hospital after what was feared to be a suicide attempt after years of battling to keep in contact with her children.
Andrew said: “A mum was rushed into hospital very lucky to be alive. She had to be revived. She has endured over four years fighting for her children
“How many more need to go through this? It’s hell on earth for any parent, grandparent and family members.
“And what happens now, because of coronavirus? People who are so depressed could also be victimised for wasting NHS time – or not be able to get taken to accident and emergency quickly enough. It is all very daunting.
Andrew said: “The awful thing is that many parents become alienated from their children because of manipulation and lies and because of the unfairness of it all and anxiety if it all they get depressed – and their depression is used against them by social workers in court to prove their not fit to be parents!”
“How many more parents must die before there is a change to the law?”
And the number of grandparents taking their own lives after being cut off from their grandchildren was highlighted by an MP some time ago.
Nigel Huddleston said last year that at least ten people have killed themselves following family splits. Campaigners want the law changed so kids have a right to see their grandparents.
Mr Huddleston told MPs of the tragedies at a Westminster debate. Grandparents have no real control over access and growing numbers are turning to the courts for help. But for some the battle is just too much.
According to Stand Alone, a UK charity dedicated to providing support for those experiencing estranged relationships, is piloting a new project to support fathers who have been affected by domestic abuse.
The initiative launched n the Welwyn Hatfield District, Hertfordshire, will hold weekly meetings and online support giving men struggling with abuse, the chance to talk without judgement.
They say: “What many don’t realise is that one in six men in the UK will experience domestic abuse in his lifetime and of the two million cases, a third are male victims.
Last year, Project 84, a campaign aimed at raising awareness over suicide, recently staged 84 human sculptures in Central London, representing the reality of the men who sadly take their lives each week.
I know this may be primarily for men but I can totally relate to the suicidal mom who had been fighting for her kids for years. I fought to keep joint custody for almost 5 years despite the fact that I was the primary care taker. We got a new judge and I lost my custody. I went down the drain. I just wanted to do drugs until I overdosed and I died bc I didn’t feel I had a reason to live without my child. After almost 2yrs in court I finally got my Joint custody back but then my ex suddenly filed a request to relocate all the way across the country which was granted. In the end my ex has more money and his atty is super good friends with our judge. Since they moved the alienating behaviors have only gotten worse and of course my ex used the impending pandemic to keep our son away from me. I have never had the opportunity to present any evidence of the alienating behavior in court but Our son isn’t handling the move Or being away from Well me at all so now I am trying to raise money to hire a new atty and get back in court. I spoke to a man from parental alienation.ca who told me there’s no chance in hell I’ll ever get my son back but I just don’t want to accept that the courts would just give my child to someone with the history my ex has But it seems the family law judge here often grants custody to the abusers many of who have restraining orders against them and I just don’t get that. I’m wondering if anyone else has ever spoken the parental alienation consultants at parentalalienation.ca or if there is anyone who knows or knows anyone who knows ca law and can either help me or refer me to someone who can. I’m losing my son’s interest and his dad is filling his head full of lies that are making my son question me my role in his life which is being minimized and and our relationship is so limited at this point I’m afraid I’m losing him for good. I feel my ex is using the covid19 as an excuse to keep my son away from 6+mos so he can move the jurisdiction to where they’re living so his parents can use their money and political influence to completely take my son away. I need help and advice on PA in general but also guidance on how to handle denied parenting time during the pandemic. Thanks