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Barbara Kay: Liberal MP's divorce bill would keep kids isolated from parents

The Act would erase parental alienation from custody decisions, shielding alienators and stripping judges of tools to protect children

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Now in its second reading, Bill C-223, an Act to amend the Divorce Act, also known as the “Keeping Children Safe Act,” is a private member’s bill tabled by Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner. Endorsed by a slew of feminist organizations, C-223 seeks to end “parental alienation” as a legal consideration in family court. Far from keeping children safe, the bill, if passed, will put many children in jeopardy, while keeping their alienating parents safe.

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Parental alienation (PA) is a brutal form of child abuse. The International Parental Alienation Study Group defines it as “a mental condition in which a child — usually one whose parents are engaged in a high-conflict separation or divorce — allies himself or herself strongly with the preferred parent (the alienating parent) and rejects a relationship with the other parent (the targeted parent) without legitimate justification.” The cognitive element of the syndrome is “the false belief that the rejected parent is evil, dangerous or not worthy of love.” The behavioural component of parental alienation is “the........

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