My name is Sabrina Treffiletti and I am a parent who has experienced the unimaginable pain of losing my daughters to parental alienation. This devastating situation not only tore apart my family but also exposed the failings of our legal system in protecting the child's right to maintain a relationship with both parents. Despite overwhelming evidence that parental alienation is a form of psychological child abuse, Australian family courts continue to overlook it, further endangering countless children like mine.

Parental alienation occurs when a child becomes estranged from one parent due to the psychological manipulation by the other parent. This insidious form of abuse often leaves deep emotional scars on the child, affecting their mental health, educational outcomes, and even relationships in adulthood. Many experts in psychology and family law across the globe recognise parental alienation as a genuine and harmful phenomenon, yet our courts in Australia remain behind on this critical issue.

A study by the Journal of Divorce & Remarriage reveals that children affected by parental alienation often suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Furthermore, nearly 50% of these children report trust issues and difficulties in forming healthy relationships as they grow older. If left unchallenged, parental alienation perpetuates a cycle of dysfunction that extends far beyond the immediate family.

Australian family courts must urgently adapt their practices to protect children from this form of abuse. We call upon the Australian Family Court System and the Attorney-General's Department to formally recognise parental alienation as a form of child abuse. This recognition should be accompanied by appropriate training for judges, legal practitioners, and court-appointed experts to identify and address parental alienation effectively. Additionally, the introduction of preventive measures, therapeutic interventions, and restorative practices can help mitigate the impact on children and encourage the maintenance of healthy parent-child relationships.

By signing this petition, you will help us advocate for crucial changes in our legal system that will safeguard children's psychological well-being and promote fair and equitable family court judgements. Stand with us to demand recognition and protections against parental alienation in Australian family law. Our children deserve better.