Genesis The Podcast

Unmasking Parental Alienation: The Weaponization of Children in Custody Battles


Listen Later

The battleground of family court has become a dangerous landscape for survivors of domestic violence and their children. When abusers wield the controversial theory of parental alienation syndrome as a weapon, protective parents often find themselves losing custody to the very people they're trying to escape.

Ruth Guerreiro, Chief Clinical Officer of Genesis Women's Shelter & Support, pulls back the curtain on this troubling dynamic, explaining how a scientifically disputed theory from the 1980s continues to influence family court decisions with devastating consequences. We explore how protective behaviors—teaching children to recognize danger, set boundaries, and seek help—are frequently mischaracterized as attempts to "alienate" children from an abusive parent.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Research shows children exposed to domestic violence face staggering long-term risks: they're 50 times more likely to abuse substances, 74 times more likely to commit violent crimes, and six times more likely to attempt suicide. When courts fail to recognize post-separation abuse tactics—using children as informants, undermining the protective parent's authority, or manipulating children psychologically—they inadvertently become accomplices in continued trauma.

But there is hope. Ms. Guerreiro shares powerful insights about effective interventions that help children heal, including attachment therapy, trauma processing, and teaching critical thinking skills about healthy relationships. She offers practical guidance for rebuilding connection and stability, from creating family traditions to implementing consistent boundaries that counter the chaos of abuse.

This episode challenges us to reconsider how we protect our most vulnerable citizens, advocating for family courts that prioritize children's safety above all else. Whether you're a survivor navigating custody issues, a professional working in family services, or simply concerned about child welfare, you'll come away with a deeper understanding of these complex dynamics and the tools needed to make a difference.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Genesis The PodcastBy Genesis Women's Shelter & Support

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

14 ratings


More shows like Genesis The Podcast

View all
The Audacious Life - Break Free by Stephani Roberts

The Audacious Life - Break Free

51 Listeners

Betrayal Trauma Recovery by Anne Blythe, M.Ed.

Betrayal Trauma Recovery

1,398 Listeners

The Healing Trauma Podcast by Monique Koven

The Healing Trauma Podcast

427 Listeners

Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse by Abuse Survivor Network

Narcissist Apocalypse: Patterns of Abuse

749 Listeners

Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs by Lisa A. Romano

Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs

760 Listeners

Radio Rental by Tenderfoot TV & Audacy

Radio Rental

32,250 Listeners

Podcast on Crimes Against Women by Conference on Crimes Against Women

Podcast on Crimes Against Women

49 Listeners

No Visible Bruises by Caroline Strawson

No Visible Bruises

519 Listeners

Crime Analyst by Laura Richards

Crime Analyst

1,871 Listeners

The Covert Narcissism Podcast by Renee Swanson, Bleav

The Covert Narcissism Podcast

50 Listeners

It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People by TruStory FM

It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People

98 Listeners

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse by Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

248 Listeners

The Rising Beyond Podcast by Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC, ACS

The Rising Beyond Podcast

29 Listeners

Why She Stayed by Grace Stuart

Why She Stayed

146 Listeners

Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers by Crime House

Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers

634 Listeners