Claim abuse, lose custody: A bill aims to curb a trend born of the theory of ‘parental alienation’

(Illustration by Andrea Shockling/PublicSource) & National data, endorsed by federal law, shows that when women in custody battles report abuse, courts too often follow a controversial theory and reduce the accuser’s custody. Is a state bill aimed at protecting kids finally gaining traction? & by Meg St-Esprit& and& Erin Yudt, PublicSource & Editor’s note: This story contains references to sexual abuse, domestic violence and murders of children. When a child development professional first told Inaya that they would be filing a Childline report on behalf of her toddler, she felt both relieved and terrified.& The Pittsburgh mother of one was fearful her then-husband would hurt her child once she disclosed the abuse, but her worry poured out to the child development professional. “One weekend I broke down before her because of what had been happening, and she then told me that, ‘You and your daughter are no longer safe here,’” said Inaya, whose real name is being withheld out of concern that publicity might result in negative consequences. Inaya had been enduring what she described as increasingly threatening tirades and promises of violence: throwing items, breaking down doors and descriptions of physical harm that would come to her and her...