Vellacott recognizes Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Hon. Maurice Vellacott MP (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) maade the following announcement about Parental Alienation Awareness Day.

Vellacott recognizes Parental Alienation Awareness Day
April 25, 2009

OTTAWA - "Parental Alienation is a serious problem in Canada because too
many children do not benefit from the active involvement of both parents in
their lives," said Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin),
speaking in recognition of Parental Alienation Awareness Day.April 25th is
Parental Alienation Awareness Day and much more awareness needs to take place
around the impact of parental alienation today.

Canada's high levels of divorce and non-traditional family arrangements often result in situations where children are no longer able to benefit from the consistent nurture and guidance and love of one of their parents. In most cases, though not all, it is the
father who is missing from the home. Canada's family law system often makes
matters worse, which is why I have been working on a Private Member's Bill that
would require Equal Shared Parenting to be treated as the presumptive approach
for resolving custodial arrangements among divorcing parents.A new study has
been released by Prof. Edward Kruk of the University of British Columbia using
Canadian data. His research confirms conclusions that have already been
well-established from much research around the world. Kruks' report notes that
90 percent of runaways grew up in father-absent homes, as did 71% of dropouts
and a majority of those identified as depressed, suicidal, addicted and pregnant
teens. "Barring cases of abuse and neglect, the best interests of the child
include the active involvement of both parents in their nurture and upbringing,"
said Vellacott.

A very important symposium on Parental Alienation took place in Toronto in March. I commend all those involved in organizing this successful and important event.

One of the many speakers at the symposium was Dr. Terence Campbell, Ph.D., a clinical and forensic psychologist. He said that all separations must begin with the premise that joint physical custody is better than sole custody.

Many of the speakers at the conference were women, including Dr. Marty McKay, also an advocate of equal parenting. She expressed distress at the way many professionals contribute to Parental Alienation among children in broken homes. She listed the whole spectrum of professionals involved in divorce and custodial situations: judges, lawyers, assessors, psychologists, mediators, child welfare agencies and domestic violence agencies."I wish every success to those involved in raising awareness of the trauma of parental alienation," said Vellacott. "I hope my Private Member's Bill will move Canada in a direction that reduces parental alienation and advances our country's support for the best interests of our children."

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For further comment, call (613) 992-1966 or (613) 297-2249

Child Abduction and PA

Obviously the sad case of Victoria (Tori) STAFFORD in Woodstock ON, is NOT a case of PA but Stranger Abduction. But her mother's boyfriend/step-dad has been named as a "person of interest" - but given other terrible cases recently, it could just as easily be the mother who is prime suspect. For me I question why the biological father has been sidelined by the media. It would be hard to imagine any parent not feeling helpless and out-of-control as an influence in his daughters life now. There remains disagreement about the strange women who lured Tori away somehow.

Yet, Parental Abductions are among the leading causes of Missing Child reports - according to stats collated by the RCMP1 and Missing Children's Network - Quebec. Missing Children's Network are the provincial component of a national and international network that coordinates various cases of missing children every year. Their Director General, Pina Arcamone was interviewed in this happy outcome on Good Friday (April 11, 2009) for Frank and Ashley GONIS, separated for 2 years.

Then I also saw this remarkable re-uniting story after 27 years between Dirk PRATT and his daughter, Francesca! She was told he was dead but never completely believed it. A few weeks ago, after watching the 2008 movie "Wanted" with Angelina JOLIE, Dirk copied a plot line idea and Googled his own name and came up with a shocking search message that read, "I am trying to contact Dirk Pratt. I am his daughter." After thinking it was a sick joke, he was finally able to re-establish contact with the daughter he lost 27 years before.

Footnotes:

1) While the numbers of Parental Abductions (PA) appear small, this is only because they are overwhelmed by the huge numbers or Run Away (RA) or Unknown/Throw Away (UN) cases. Such large numbers are because of multiple incidents by individuals. It had been reported in the U.S that fully 30% of these single incidents are by a small number of recurrent runaway kids. Also many of these cases are quickly resolved. Source: RCMP 2007 Missing Children Reference Report - National Missing Children Services, Appendix 1.

Resurrected - PAAD will go ahead in Edmonton!

At the last moment, I have managed to secure a venue for PAAD in Edmonton. I was told that we can have a table to display "our wares" at the Old Strathcona Farmers Market (10310-83 Ave NW, Edmonton AB) on Saturday April 25 from 9am - 3pm. (They often make such tables available to non-profit groups at no charge.)

I shall have an ample supply of PAAO brochures, as well as info table display similar to last year (DVD's playing on laptop, selected books and "reading lists", what you can do "idea's" etc).

We need 6-12 volunteers to staff the table and engage in non-threatening "discussions" with the public in teams for 1-2 hours. Please contact me (new cel# 780-729-5570) if you can give a hand - it would be gratefully appreciated.

See you there.

Alberta PA Awareness Day EVENT = CANCELLED

I am sorry to announce that due to a lack of volunteer resources and my inability to secure a suitable venue - that I must CANCEL our planned PAAD Event in Edmonton on Sat April 25, 2009. (I was rather surprised that the West Edmonton Mall turned down my request - considering how modest and how they seem to be quite keen to allow other activities like the recent "Hair Massacre" head-dye/shave for Cancer.   Being declined for Law Day at the Law Court on April 18 was less surprising but I thought rather cowardly.)  

I am sorry to have to admit defeat but perhaps others will be better able to suceed where I have not.  By all means, let me know if I can do  anything to assist.    I have made a few contacts and may be able to supply some useful info or resources. 

Regards,

Christopher JONES

CSPAS Conference - Toronto On March 27-29

This is an update on the upcoming CSPAS Symposium to be held in Toronto ON on Friday March 27-29, 2009.     Here is Press Release:

TORONTO, Feb. 13 /CNW/ - The first Canadian International Symposium for Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) will be held in Toronto at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre from March 27-29, 2009. Speakers from the fields of psychology, family law, and mediation will be making presentations to attorneys and mental health professionals. Parents whose children suffer from this mental health condition are very welcome to attend to conference.

"Parents that abuse children with parental alienation are a danger to our entire society," said Joe Goldberg, Host and Founder of the symposium. "There are literally hundreds of thousands of children who are victims of parental alienation abuse and family law attorneys and mental health professionals are the only ones who can rescue them.  This symposium will provide the information on how to best protect these children."

Participants to this three day symposium will hear such topics discussed as: 'Mediation Strategies in Managing PAS Disputes,' 'Treatment for Alienated Children,' and 'Doing what is Right for the Children, and Knowing When to do it.'   Speakers include: Amy Baker, Ph.D., a prominent psychologist in developmental psychology, Pamela Stuart-Mills Hoch, M.A., and Bob Hoch, M.A. co-founders of the Rachel Foundation for Family Reintegration, and David L. Levy, J.D., a pioneer in the field of children's rights. With over twenty speakers in attendance, everyone will come away with new knowledge about how children are being psychologically abused by a parent, and how it can be prevented.  For more info go to: www.cspas.ca.

I highly recommend it!

Amy J. BAKER Lecture - 2007 Dec 27

Lecture about her (then new) book "Breaking the Ties that Bind: Adult children of PAS",  including 10 minutes of "tips for Targeted Parents" at the end of 50 minutes presentation.

The reason for her study was to help answer the questions "Will I ever get them back?", "How can I speed it up?" and "What are the consequences of PAS?".

"PAS does not exist" says President of Cdn Psychologists Association

CODE RED - Action Alert

Yesterday, Mon Feb 2, 2009 CBC Radio1 broadcast a segment about PAS given the recent blockbuster PAS "deprogramming" decision by Justice Faye MCWATT of Ontario.  The reporter interviewed an anonymous father who's case is still before the courts and got a comment about the challenge of "de-programming" from Dr. Richard WARSHUK - author of "Divorce Poison" who was also speaking at the Ontario Bar Association Conference in Toronto.   However for the CON view he interviewed Dr. Catherine M. LEE, President of the Canadian Psychological Association in Ottawa, ON who claims that "PAS does not exist".  The reporter ends with "the cure may be worse than the disease".  

Please take some time to listen to broadcast clip and contact Dr. LEE (catherine.lee@uottawa.ca)  to tell her what you think of her comment.   Perhaps contacting the other members of the Canadian Psychological Association Board of Directors is also opportune. Here is the link.  http://www.cpa.ca/aboutcpa/boardofdirectors.

Download Audio Clip (2:30 ms)

Looking for Volunteers - PAAD Alberta = Sat April 25, 2009

Last year, with the help of the Parental Alienation Awareness Organization (PAAO) we held the 1st Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD) Event in Edmonton. Yes, it was a modest affair, cobbled together at the last minute - but I hope others across the province will join us to mark this day with their own event on April 25 2009!

We are looking for volunteers to initiate a PAAD Event in Alberta community's or join one nearby. An event can be as simple or as complicated as you want (and your budget allows - as we have no funding, but we accept contributions). Our objective is to educate the general public about PA but how you do that is up to you.

Last year wasn't fancy. We set-up a display table with a PAAO Banner, various PAS reference, books, replayed some DVD's on the laptop, asked for petition signatures and began handing out (b&w photocopied) PAAO pamphlets at Edmonton City Hall Square (Mayor Mandel declared PAAD Officially) and outside the Legislature on that cold April day. Alot of people welcomed the opportunity to learn about PAS. It is an issue that many struggle to understand.

Since that event we have gathered 47 supporters across the province. They include many targeted parents, some "stranded" grandparents, adult "survivors" of PAS, Second Wives and others. Let's take advantage of recent legal developments in Ontario and media coverage of Alex Baldwin's book to focus attention on PAS and PA behaviours.

By concentrating our message about PAS for ONE DAY GLOBALLY we hope to breach the wall of official indifference about such child abuse. 

To volunteer, please sign-in using this form.   Our success depends on having "slack" resources as  not every community can support an Event.   Since your candour will not be ruthlessly exploited please be generous with your intentions.   We hope to have Event Leaders/ Locations
after Feb 27 and updates will be emailed as required.   Non-Alberta volunteers can check for other Events at www.PAawarenessDAY.org.

Regards,
Christopher JONES
Team Leader - Alberta
E albertapaao [at] mail.com

Remember, click HERE to link to SIGN-UP Form

Welcome to our new blog!

The "time has come (the walrus said)" for a blog by Alberta PAAO.

I am just waiting until everything is properly arranged and hope to be up and running within a month.

This blog is a natural evolution of a process that began a year ago when Shelly JONES (no relation) and I joined forces to stage PAAD 2008 in Edmonton. Before we knew it - PAAO Alberta was created!

We are committed to improving awareness about Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) and PA Behaviours (PAB) in Alberta.   We will do this by promoting awareness about Parental Alienation and acting as a network for Resources and Events that may be of interest to Albertans. 

Regards,

Christopher JONES

Bill 211 - DOCUMENTATION OF CHILD ACCESS EXCHANGE ACT

Mrs. Alana DELONG, MLA for Calgary - Bow has proposed this Personal Members Bill 211 THE DOCUMENTATION OF CHILD ACCESS EXCHANGE ACT.  

The bill received 2nd Reading in the Alberta Legislature on Monday Dec 1, 2008 at 1730h.

Here is the video link for House Proceedings on Dec 1, 2008 (this requires Windows Media Player to be enabled in your browser).  The specific debate on PMB 211 begins at the 3h25m15s mark.   And here is link to Hansard hard copy (go to p 29/36 which is p2155).

Because the House is about to recess for Xmas, the bill will die on the order paper but Justice Minister Alison REDFORD informed the house she intends to adopt it as a Government Bill in the Spring session.

This bill is intended to formalize a protocol that allows divorced or separated parents (or legal guardians) to document an exchange of children as per instructions in parenting orders.   Currently, when one or both parents do not cooperate on respecting such exchanges a child is denied the opportunity to spend designated time with a parent.  This act will establish a responsible person and procedure to document that such exchanges have taken place and will be admissible as evidence in Court. 

Bill 211 will also expand the number of exchange locations and recorders to include, Day Care Centers, Schools, Doctors or Child Psychologists and even Churches.   These are distinctly different from those special situations where families are dealing with domestic violence.  Six specially designated exchange centers have already been established in major towns accross the province to manage such supervised visits and designated high conflict exchanges.  Otherwise, many families meet at RCMP stations.   Obviously, these high-conflict locations are unsuitable for the vast majority of divorced or seperated families.

I suggest this legislation will be useful to PAS impacted families.  Click here to find your own MLA contact info or link here to search.