Concerns about ideological and non-scientific nature of Portuguese conference on ‘Myth of Parental Alienation Syndrome’

Press release by the Platform for European Fathers (PEF) regarding concerns over the gender ideological and non-scientific nature of the international PAS conference organised under the title “The best interests of the child and the myth of the Parental Alienation Syndrome” in Lissabon, Portugal on 3 and 4 november 2011
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PLATAFORMA DE PAIS EUROPEUS CONDENA CONFERENCIA COM A PRESENÇA DE AUTORIDADES PORTUGUESAS

Sumário

• Plataforma de Pais Europeus (P.E.F.) exprime preocupação sobre a realização em Portugal da «Conferência Internacional – O Superior Interesse da Criança e o mito da “síndrome de alienação parental”» com a presença e apoio de autoridades governamentais (Ministra da Justiça, P.G.R., I.A.C., C.I.G.) nos dias 3 e 4 de Novembro no Auditório de Montepio em Lisboa.
• P.E.F. considera a Alienação Parental uma forma muito grave de abuso de crianças.
• P.E.F. considera que classificar o SAP “um mito” é um erro e considera não ser coincidência que tal conferência seja organizada por uma associação de mulheres juristas.
• P.E.F. solicita aos altos níveis da justiça portuguesa e outras autoridades portuguesas (Ministra da Justiça, PGR, I.A.C., C.I.G.) que NÃO PARTICIPEM na referida conferência e considera que o tema deve ser exclusivamente debatido por profissionais com qualificação científica.

Joseph Egan, PEF Chairman declarou que

“as crianças necessitam ambos os progenitores e, por essa razão, apelamos para um debate científico neutral acerca do mérito do conceito de Alienação Parental pós divórcio (em que um progenitor manipula a criança contra o outro progenitor).”

Para comentários em Inglês, Alemão ou Holandês:

• Mr. Joseph A. Egan, Chairman Platform for European Fathers (Mb.: +35385-7469342 Email: chair(at)europeanfathers.eu)
• Mr. Peter Tromp, Secretary Platform for European Fathers (Mb.: +31624506249 Email: secretary(at)europeanfathers.eu)

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PLATFORM FOR EUROPEAN FATHERS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PORTUGUESE CONFERENCE ON THE MYTH OF PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME

Platform for European Fathers (PEF)

Press Release 1st November 2011: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

• Mr. Joseph A. Egan, Chairman Platform for European Fathers (Mb.: +35385-7469342 Email: chair(at)europeanfathers.eu)
• Mr. Peter Tromp, Secretary Platform for European Fathers (Mb.: +31624506249 Email: secretary(at)europeanfathers.eu)

Child Abuse or The Best Interest of Children?

The Platform for European Fathers (PEF) is extremely concerned about the Portuguese conference on the subject of The interests of the child and the myth of Parental Alienation Syndrome to be held on 3rd and 4th November 2011, in Lisbon, at Auditório do Montepio.

“Parental Alienation Syndrome” (PAS) or Parental Alienation Disorder (PAD) is a form of Child Abuse. PEF believe that this form of Child Abuse is any behavior by a parent, whether conscious or unconscious, that could create alienation in the relationship between a child and the other parent. This can be mild and temporary or extreme and ongoing. PEF state that any alienation of a child against (the child’s) other parent is harmful to the child and to the victim parent. Extreme, obsessive and ongoing parental alienation can cause terrible psychological damage to children extending far into adulthood.  To imply that PAS is a myth is wrong. PEF requests that high level Portuguese justice and other authorities NOT participate in the upcoming conference myth of parental alienation Syndrome as we consider that this topic should be exclusively discussed by qualified scientific professionals.

Mr. Joseph Egan, PEF Chairman, states that:

“a child needs both parents and for this reason calls for a neutral scientific debate on the merits of the concept of post relationship breakdown parental alienation, (where one parent turns the children against the other parent)”.

It is no coincidence that the conference is being run by a women’s lawyers association who obviously have a vested interest in keeping the situation the way it currently is, i.e. where many fathers are excluded from their children’s lives after relationship breakdown. This is an insidious attempt to attack a legitimate syndrome.

Everyone should be aware of the fact that committing parental alienation actions is considered a psychological illness and / or is recognised as a criminal act of violence against children in some countries. Therefore, the myth of Parental Alienation Syndrome, as proposed by the conference title is an attempt to mislead people.

Those who talk about PAS as a myth are merely encouraging abuse against children.

ENDS

EDITORS NOTE:
The Platform for European Fathers (PEF) is an independent European non-government organisation that represents the interests of fathers at European policy level. At the inaugural meeting it’s members adopted twelve main objectives (The full founding statement can be read on the PEF website) which, for example, include the following principles: PEF operates in accordance with the interests of children and their right to both parents and their extended families. PEF will promote ‘CONTEMPORARY PARTICIPATIVE FATHERHOOD’ to the EU social policy  in support of equal shared parenting, i.e. the equal division of care for the children between the parents with special attention to paternity leave and parenting time.

Photo taken at the steps of the European Parliament in Brussels, where on the 27th of June 2011, sixteen father-, fatherhood and equal parenting organisations representing twelve European countries (Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Iceland, Hungary, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, UK and Austria) came together to establish the new Platform for European Fathers. In the mean time three new father-, fatherhood and equal parenting organisations have joined the PEF, bringing its present membership to 19 organisations.