Make Parental Alienation a Crime—Protect Our Children’s Right to Both Parents

Petition to: U.S. Congress, State Legislators, and Family Court Systems

Parental alienation is a form of emotional abuse where one parent intentionally manipulates a child, or keeps a child from their other parent. This behavior causes lifelong psychological harm, destroys families, and leaves countless children without access to the love and support of both parents.

It’s time to make a change. We demand that known cases of parental alienation be classified as a felony offense.

Why this is important:
Every year, millions of children in the United States are used as weapons in custody battles. One parent may lie, manipulate, or falsely accuse the other parent to destroy their relationship with the child. Courts often fail to intervene, and the damage becomes permanent.

According to the American Psychological Association, parental alienation is a form of emotional child abuse. Children who grow up alienated from a loving parent often suffer:

Low self-esteem
Depression and anxiety
Substance abuse
Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
Trauma that extends well into adulthood

A 2018 study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences found that over 80% of children who experienced alienation showed lasting psychological harm, many suffering well into their adult lives.

This issue is largely overlooked by the legal system. Parents who alienate face no criminal penalties, while the targeted parent—and the child—suffer in silence.

We must protect children’s rights and hold alienating parents accountable.

We are calling for lawmakers to:

• Make severe and willful parental alienation a felony offense under state and federal law.
• Require mandatory psychological evaluations when alienation is alleged during family court proceedings.
• Enforce parenting time orders with real consequences for interference.
• Support reunification therapy programs for alienated families.
• Protect children from false allegations and manipulation.

Children deserve both parents.

Parental alienation is abuse—plain and simple. Help us protect families, defend children, and stop the emotional destruction caused by manipulative parenting.

Sign this petition and stand with us to make parental alienation a felony.

✅ Your signature matters.

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Protect the next generation.