Resources for Professionals
Parental Alienation
Post-Separation Abuse
Parental Alienation
Major child welfare organizations caution against the use of parental alienation claims in abuse cases due to lack of scientific validity and risk of misinterpreting protective behaviors.
Coercive Control
Post-Separation Abuse
Parental Alienation
Research by Evan Stark defines coercive control as a pattern of domination involving psychological, emotional, and behavioral control, often linked to serious harm and continued abuse post-separation.
Post-Separation Abuse
Post-Separation Abuse
Peer-reviewed research shows abuse frequently continues after separation through legal systems, harassment, and control tactics, reflecting an ongoing pattern rather than isolated incidents.
Psychological Labeling in Court
Research highlights how abuse survivors may be mischaracterized through psychological interpretations (e.g., “histrionic,” “uncooperative,” or “alienating”), which can shift focus away from abuse and influence custody outcomes.
Custody Outcomes & Abuse Allegations
Evidence-Based Practice in Family Court
Research demonstrates that allegations of parental alienation and related defenses can be used strategically in custody litigation to counter abuse claims, often impacting case outcomes and survivor credibility.
Evidence-Based Practice in Family Court
Evidence-Based Practice in Family Court
Research shows that failure to properly identify coercive control in custody cases can lead to unsafe outcomes, emphasizing the need for evidence-based, trauma-informed evaluation of abuse patterns.
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