Parental Alienation Prevention Week

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, strong family relationships constitute the foundation of our community; and

WHEREAS, alienating behaviors are frequently seen in high-conflict divorces, separations and asymmetrical custody arrangements but can occur in intact marriages; and

WHEREAS, Parental Alienation is a term used to describe any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent, both parents or third party designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their other parent.  It’s a form of abuse that causes emotional trauma to children; and

WHEREAS, Parental Alienation deprives children of their right to freely love and be loved by both parents, their extended families and robs children of their sense of security; and

WHEREAS, we encourage all Alabamians to visit paawareness.com for information on raising awareness to stop Parental Alienation, and we call on community and state leaders to support shared parenting because of its benefits for children; and

WHEREAS, the recently published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) made several references to the dysfunctional family dynamic of alienation to be a form of psychological child abuse; and

WHEREAS, approximately 40,000 children in the State of Alabama were subjected to child custody determinations in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Parental Alienation Prevention Week is intended to increase the knowledge and understanding of this problem to help Alabamians, institutions, the legal and mental health community and leaders to better identify and combat this abusive behavior to children; and

WHEREAS, God so loved us, we also ought to love one another; love does no harm to its neighbor; therefore Children should be able to freely express the meaning of F.A.M.I.L.Y.; Father And Mother, I Love You; and

WHEREAS, in honor of Parental Alienation Prevention Week, come and show your support by taking 10 minutes out of your day at noon, on Tuesday, April 25, to blow soap “Bubbles For Love”.  Each bubble we blow represents the love our children have and should be allowed to share with both their parents:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of April 23rd through April 29th, 2017, as

Parental Alienation Prevention Week

and April 25, 2017, as

Parental Alienation Awareness Day

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 29th day of March 2017.

Robert Bentley

Governor