Vellacott recognizes Parental Alienation Awareness Day

April 25, 2009

OTTAWA - "Parental Alienation is a serious problem in Canada because too many children do not benefit from the active involvement of both parents in their lives," said Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin), speaking in recognition of Parental Alienation Awareness Day.

April 25th is Parental Alienation Awareness Day and much more awareness needs to take place around the impact of parental alienation today.

Canada's high levels of divorce and non-traditional family arrangements often result in situations where children are no longer able to benefit from the consistent nurture and guidance and love of one of their parents. In most cases, though not all, it is the father who is missing from the home. Canada's family law system often makes matters worse, which is why I have been working on a Private Member's Bill that would require Equal Shared Parenting to be treated as the presumptive approach for resolving custodial arrangements among divorcing parents.

A new study has been released by Prof. Edward Kruk of the University of British Columbia using Canadian data. His research confirms conclusions that have already been well-established from much research around the world. Kruks' report notes that 90 percent of runaways grew up in father-absent homes, as did 71% of dropouts and a majority of those identified as depressed, suicidal, addicted and pregnant teens. "Barring cases of abuse and neglect, the best interests of the child include the active involvement of both parents in their nurture and upbringing," said Vellacott.

A very important symposium on Parental Alienation took place in Toronto in March. I commend all those involved in organizing this successful and important event.

One of the many speakers at the symposium was Dr. Terence Campbell, Ph.D., a clinical and forensic psychologist. He said that all separations must begin with the premise that joint physical custody is better than sole custody.

Many of the speakers at the conference were women, including Dr. Marty McKay, also an advocate of equal parenting. She expressed distress at the way many professionals contribute to Parental Alienation among children in broken homes. She listed the whole spectrum of professionals involved in divorce and custodial situations: judges, lawyers, assessors, psychologists, mediators, child welfare agencies and domestic violence agencies.

"I wish every success to those involved in raising awareness of the trauma of parental alienation," said Vellacott. "I hope my Private Member's Bill will move Canada in a direction that reduces parental alienation and advances our country's support for the best interests of our children."

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For further comment, call (613) 992-1966 or (613) 297-2249

Equal Shared Parenting Poll Results Does the majority actually rule in Canada?

	1-888-F4J Canada
Press release
Contact: Kris Titus Phone: 1-888-345-2262 ext. 703 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2009
For Immediate Release April 18, 2009 Equal Shared Parenting Poll Results Does the majority actually rule in Canada? Member of Parliament, Maurice Vellacott, Thursday announced the results of a poll conducted by Nanos on support for equal parenting which shows yet again that there is a large majority public support for equal parenting in law with a 78% support rate. These results prove what F4J Fathers 4 Justice has been saying for years now, at great risk and peril to their superhero campaigners. "The time for equal parenting is absolutely now. As far back as 1998 a Compas poll showed 78% support and the poll we commissioned in 2007 showed 79.1% support. Someone has got to demand that the majority in this country have a voice when it comes to the welfare of divorced families," says Kris Titus, National Coordinator. Titus is one of 5 superhero campaigners for the organization who face severe charges for their stunts that raise awareness of this important issue. Recently Benoit Leroux aka Robin and Guy Dumais, were convicted on appeal after arguing the defense of 'necessity' for a direct action which closed the Jacques Cartier bridge in Montreal several years ago. "It's troubling to see our superheros who risk their lives and liberty for the sake of children being convicted and treated so harshly by the courts and Crown Attorney's office," says Titus in reference to the lack of response to other civil protests. One has to ask, when will the majority rule that stands up for the welfare of Canadian children and parents be recognized as a worthy and noble goal? If MPs like Maurice Vellacott and his fellow supporters of this issue stand strong in the face of 'minority' opposition, then it will happen sooner rather than later, which is still not soon enough. "Maurice Vellacott is proving himself to be a Member of Parliament who listens to Canadians. Family Law issues are all over the news and there is an increasing outcry for reform," Titus says, "It's time for Mr. Ignatieff to seal the deal and stand up for what he has clearly stated he believes in, equal shared parenting." The results are in. Canadians have spoken. Our government must act. CONTACT: Nationally, Kris Titus 1-888-F4J Canada ( 1-888-345-2262 ) ext. 703 National Website for more information about F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada Canada: www.f4jcanada.ca National Action website: www.f4jcanada.com
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4th Annual Parental Alienation Awareness Day continues to Shed Light into the darkness of Parental Alienation

Released on: April 24, 2009, 5:46 am
Author: Parental Alienation Awareness Organization
Industry: Healthcare

TORONTO, April 23, 2009 – Nearly everyone knows a couple who has divorced and used a child against the other parent. But not many people know there’s a name for such behavior--and fewer still know it is a particularly damaging form of child abuse.

The 4th Annual Parental Alienation Awareness Day on April 25, 2009 is set as a day for families around the Globe to help raise awareness about this rampant global issue. Many countries, states, provinces, and cities have already proclaimed April 25 to be Parental Alienation Awareness Day, and many educational and family events are set to take place in cities in North America, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. .

Parental Alienation is defined as a set of behaviors exhibited by a parent or an adult the child trusts, that puts the child in a very damaging loyalty bind between the people they love. These behaviors can be as mild as the occasional badmouthing of a parent, but in extreme cases may lead to parental Abductions and even Parental Homicide.

Research shows that children exposed to Parental Alienation may suffer a lifetime of low self esteem, and depression as well as substance abuse, anxiety, and difficulty trusting anyone or forming lasting relationships.

“A pattern of alienation usually begins without any malicious or conscious intent to harm the relationship between the other parent and the children,” explained Sarvy Emo, Founder of Parental Alienation Awareness Day. “Parents are often unaware of how subtle behaviors and comments can put children in a loyalty bind that is not only harmful to their emotional and mental health, but may affect their relationship with the targeted parent.”

“… the hurt, the anger, the shame and the pain would never go away. I could numb it and put it in the back of my mind but it never went away. It comes out in how I am as a mother, a spouse, a friend. In the decisions I’ve made, in almost everything I do.” Says an adult who experienced Parental Alienation as a child.

Parental Alienation Awareness Organization urges family members, and the people that surround a child’s life to watch for the children perceiving one parent as causing the other parent’s financial problems, showing a sudden negative change in attitude around one parent or being uncharacteristically belligerent around a parent or other authority figure.

To learn more about PA and Parental Alienation Awareness Day, visit

http://www.paawarenessday.com.
To learn more about Parental Alienation and Hostile Aggressive Parenting, visit www.paawareness.org

Contact Details: Parental Alienation Awareness Organization
Tel: 416-840-5654
info@paawareness.org
www.paawareness.org

Gatekeeping Mother Lied to Daughter about her dad

KOMO News - Seattle, Washington

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'She was my whole world'

by Sabra Gertsch & KOMO Staff

Originally printed at http://www.komonews.com/news/local/43083567.html

SEA-TAC AIRPORT -- Dirk Pratt hadn't held his daughter, Francesca, since she was just 2 years old. For nearly three decades, he said, lies held their relationship prisoner.

"That has been a tough time for me all of my life. I missed all those birthdays, her first boyfriend..." the father said.

Pratt said Francesca's mother took her home to Ecuador for a quick trip, which turned into a lifetime. Soon after the two left, he was told his daughter had died as a toddler after being bitten by a mosquito. The news drowned the father in grief.

"I couldn't function or do anything," he said. "She was my whole world."

Since then, for the last 27 years, he spent his daughter's birthday with the lone picture of her he had.

Then, six weeks ago, the most unexpected thing happened.

Pratt happened to watch the movie "Wanted," starring Angelina Jolie. In the film, a man runs a search of his own name on Google.com. Pratt had never tried searching for his own name, so he decided to give it a try on a whim.

The search turned up a message that read, "I am trying to contact Dirk Pratt. I am his daughter."

Pratt was aghast. His mind began swirling.

"The first thought in my mind was, 'Francesca or a sick joke?'" he said.

But it was no joke.

Pratt learned his daughter had been told he had died in a diving accident, but she never quite believed it.

"Inside of my heart I felt something -- 'He's alive,'" she said.

Eventually, Franscesca learned the truth, moved to America and began a search for her father. And while searching for his own name, Dirk had found her -- the part of him he had been missing for so many years.

On Wednesday, Dirk and his daughter, having trumped lies and years of distance thousands of miles long, finally reunited.

As the two embraced, 27 years of lost history swelled up in Francesca's eyes. And how could it not? She'd been told times over that this moment would never be possible.

"He's more happy because I am here," said.

And Francesca, now 30, brought along some big news.

"I am having a baby," she said. "I am pregnant. I am so happy."

Having spend years apart dearly missing each other, Dirk and his daughter are wasting no more time. Francesca plans to spend several months at her father's Redmond home so the two can get to know each other all over again.

Richard West New Fathers 4 Justice ~ Ottery activist's 'chaos' pledge

My comments left on site at http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/sidmouthherald/news/story.aspx?brand=SMHOnline&category=news&tBrand=devon24&tCategory=newssmh&itemid=DEED24%20Apr%202009%2015%3A55%3A09%3A770

Its unfortunate the UK (and Canada where I live) marginalize loving fathers to the sidelines in a massive and dysfunctional exercise in social engineering. The children deprived of 50% of their genetic heritage and nurturing by their biological father are missing key ingredients in growing up. If Richard has to resort to these kinds of tactics it does not say much for the compassion of courts or socialist politicians. I'm with you Richard and so are many thousands of Canadian fathers in the same boat as you.MJM

Ottery activist's 'chaos' pledge

24 April 2009

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/sidmouthherald/news/story.aspx?brand=SMHOnline&category=news&tBrand=devon24&tCategory=newssmh&itemid=DEED24%20Apr%202009%2015%3A55%3A09%3A770

A FATHERS' rights activist from Ottery has vowed to cause "massive public disruption" by "shutting down" one of the country's "major public infrastructures" by the end of the month.

New Fathers For Justice campaigner and dad of two Richard West, 42, who has carried out a string of high-profile protests while clad in superhero garb, said he has issued the "ultimatum" to protest against the NHS and Home Secretary For Justice Jack Straw.

Mr West wants the NHS to disclose case notes regarding treatment given to one of his children and also claims a pledge to "open up" family court hearings to the media by Minister Straw is in fact a "smokescreen" that will see them "closed further" thanks to a related, "small print" contempt of court law.

In February, Mr West strapped himself to the top of a telephone mast near Exeter Racecourse while dressed as Mr Incredible to protest to South West Minister Ben Bradshaw.

In 2007 he was fined by magistrates in Salisbuy (sic) after staging a protest on StoneHenge while dressed as Fred Flintstone.

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk

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