Igualdade Parental Portugal – Dia Internacional de Consciencialização sobre a Alienação Parental 25 de Abril de 2012 (International Parental Alienation Awareness Day)

Dia Internacional de Consciencialização
sobre a Alienação Parental
25 de Abril de 2012

Associação para a Igualdade Parental e Direitos dos Filhos, COMUNICADO, 25 de Abril de 2012

A Associação Portuguesa para a Igualdade Parental e Direitos dos Filhos, vem associar-se ao movimento internacional criado com o Dia Internacional da Consciencialização da Alienação Parental que, em 25 de Abril, pretende alertar a opinião pública para um fenómeno que está presente nas relações entre casais separados quando um dos progenitores pretende alienar o outro junto dos filhos.

Todos gostamos e temos direito a ter pai e mãe nas nossas vidas, independentemente de eles estarem juntos ou separados.

A criança e o jovem, precisam de reconhecer-se no pai e na mãe e ser reconhecidos por eles, construindo a partir daí a sua própria identidade.

Quando isto não acontece, a criança irá gradualmente buscar uma segurança exterior, para compensar a insegurança interior relacionada com a sua identidade. Os exemplos em que as crianças e os jovens buscam a sua identidade no exterior, por uma fragilidade interna, derivada de ausência de pai ou mãe são, infelizmente, muitos e alguns deles públicos.

É por isso condenável que, sobretudo nas situações de separação, um dos progenitores pretenda afastar os filhos da vida do outro, afastando normalmente aquele com que a criança não convive diariamente. Os filhos são influenciados pelos pais, através do exemplo destes.

Os pretextos para criar afastamento e denegrir a imagem do pai ou da mãe que não convivem com as crianças e / ou jovens, são múltiplos e cada vez mais conhecidos. Podem ser mais primários ou mais perversos. Ambas as situações destroem a identidade das crianças e dos adolescentes, com danos para a sua vida futura onde se salientam:
- dificuldades de relação com a autoridade e a frustação;
- problemas de identidade sexual;
- doenças psicossomáticas;
- baixa auto-confiança;
- dificuldade no estabelecimento de relações interpessoais saudáveis e pautadas pela assertividade;

Na comemoração deste ano, cabe também lembrar o envolvimento da Platform for European Fathers (PEF), uma estrutura que agrega um conjunto alargado de associações europeias que têm como objectivo sensibilizar as autoridades europeias e nacionais para as questões da igualdade parental, quando são chamadas a resolver conflitos parentais.

O dia 25 de Abril é, também neste contexto, e por extensão, como em tantos outros, uma chamada de atenção, mais do que de reflexão, para a justiça portuguesa que, quando chamada a arbitrar conflitos entre os progenitores das crianças e dos jovens, adopta muitas vezes decisões que sancionam comportamentos de alienação parental, promovendo e sancionando o afastamento de um progenitor em relação ao outro.

Fá-lo por ignorância nuns casos e noutros por negligência consciente. Em ambos os casos, invocando também, perversamente, o superior interesse da criança, quando este é na sua essência, ter pai, mãe e restante família alargada.

Cabe a cada um e a todos em conjunto, termos crianças e adolescentes mentalmente sãos e socialmente integrados. Para isso temos que garantir que todas as crianças e jovens possam ter liberdade de afectos pelo seu pai e mãe, sem constrangimentos destes ou de terceiros.

Para o dia 25 de Abril, a Associação tem previstas as seguintes actividades:

Lisboa
Lançamento de Balões
Distribuição de brochuras sobre a Alienação Parental
Terreiro do Paço, 15h

Évora
Lançamento de Balões
Distribuição de brochuras sobre a Alienação Parental
Praça do Giraldo, 15h

Coimbra
Distribuição de brochuras sobre a Alienação Parental (ação de sensibilização junto da população)
Parque Verde do Mondego, 11h

Porto
Exibição do documentário “Indíziel – A Alienação Parental em Portugal
Casa da Cultura de Paranhos, 15h

Informações:
Tel. 910429050
e.mail: igualdadeparental@gmail.com

Associação para a Igualdade Parental e Direitos dos Filhos | Apartado 9865, EC Olaias, 1911-701 Lisboa |
NIPC: 509248705 | Matriculada na CRC de Odivelas sob o nº 1156/2009 | www.igualdadeparental.org |
e-mail: igualdadeparental@gmail.com | Telem. 910429050 http://igualdadeparental.blogspot.com |
www.facebook.com/igualdadeparental
| http://www.youtube.com/user/IgualdadeParental
Posted in Igualdade Parental, International Parental Alienation Awareness Day, Portuguese | Leave a comment

Sygapa Greece – Σύλλογος για την Ανδρική και Πατρική Αξιοπρέπεια (ΣΥ.Γ.Α.Π.Α.) – International Parental Alienation Awareness Day in Thessaloniki, Greece (April 25, 2012)

ΗΜΕΡΑ ΑΠΟΞΕΝΩΣΗΣ: 25 ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ 2012 – P.A.S.

http://www.facebook.com/events/266573106764145/

Event for Σύλλογος για την Ανδρική και Πατρική Αξιοπρέπεια(ΣΥ.Γ.Α.Π.Α.)

Wednesday 25 April 2012 – 13:00 hours in UTC+03

SYGAPA – ΣΥΓΑΠΑ

Στις 25 Απριλίου καθορίστηκε η Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Αποξένωσης.

http://www.healthierworld.gr/portal/cc7146d26842552e/31ab328e47c4ea3f/d87c68a56bc8eb80/22e7bec3a6dfe804/da92ce36d3c841c7.html

Στη Θεσσαλονίκη λοιπόν, τη Τετάρτη 25 Απριλίου 2012 και ώρα 1μμ (13.00), στο ύψος του Flocafe, στην παραλία, Λεωφ. Νίκης 48 θα πραγματοποιήσουμε όπως και πέρισυ διαμαρτυρία με πανό, κλείσιμο δρόμου και διανομή φυλλαδίων/ενημέρωσης.

http://www.goodchannel.gr/draseis/pagkosmia+hmera+apoksenwsis-47052

Δέστε περισινές εκδηλώσεις και καταγραφή σε εφημερίδες, περιοδικά, ραδιόφωνο, φωτογραφίες.

www.sos-sygapa.eu

Thessalonike, Thessaloniki, Greece:

Display map

Wednesday 25 APRIL 2012 – PAS
Event for the Society for Male and Paternal Dignity (SY.G.A.P.A.)
Wednesday 25 April 2012 – 13:00 hours in UTC +03

SYGAPA
On April 25, established the World Day of alienation.

In Thessaloniki, therefore, to Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 1pm (13.00) at the height of Flocafe, the beach, 48 Victory Avenue will hold last year as a protest banners, street closures and distribution of leaflets / information.
http://www.goodchannel.gr/draseis/pagkosmia+hmera+apoksenwsis-47052

Tie perisines and recording events in newspapers, magazines, radio, photos.
www.sos-sygapa.eu

Thessalonike, Thessaloniki, Greece
View map • Get directions

Posted in Greek, International Parental Alienation Awareness Day, Sygapa | Leave a comment

SOS Papa Belgique – L’aliénation parentale, la non présentation d’enfant! Les créances affectives! – Parental Alienation, keeping away a child from its parent! The affective and emotional damages! (International Parental Alienation Awareness Day – April 25, 2012)

L’aliénation parentale, la non présentation d’enfant! Les créances affectives!

SOS-Papa Belgique, Press Communiqué, Bruxelles le 4 avril 2012

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE:

Mercredi 25 avril 2012, à l’occasion de la journée internationale de l’aliénation parentale, SOS PAPA Belgique asbl manifestera devant le site Portalis – Tribunal de la jeunesse, rue des Quatre Bras, 4 – 1000 Bruxelles. Outre, le fonds des créances alimentaires, ces membres aimeraient soulever la question des créances affectives qui sont dues à l’enfant et qui ne sont jamais récupérables.

Les créances affectives sont les droits aux hébergements secondaires et/ou égalitaires et le droit aux relations personnelles qui ne sont pas respectés. Ces créances non financières sont irremplaçables et elles causent des dommages irréparables dans le développement, l’éducation et l’épanouissement de l’enfant.

La loi implique le principe des contacts entre l’enfant et le parent secondaire. Mais rien dans la Loi, ne précise ou ne garantit cet hébergement secondaire. Celui-ci est laissé à l’appréciation des juges, qui décident selon une « intime conviction », en fonction d’habitudes judiciaires fluctuantes d’une jurisdiction à une autre. L’usage jurisprudentiel consacre souvent un weekend sur deux et la moitié des vacances.

Cet usage conduit à la rupture du lien affectif. Ceci est une maltraitance envers l’enfant.

S’il existe une pratique judiciaire qui mérite d’être épinglée c’est bien celle là! Chaque weekend le droit d’hébergement accordé par décision judiciaire est violé à des milliers d’exemplaire. Il l’est, tout autant, pendant les périodes de vacances dans l’indifférence de ceux qui devraient au moins tenter d’endiguer ce phénomène massif, très pénalisant, qui accable les parents évincés au point de bouleverser leur vie.

En première ligne et à de rare exception près, on trouve les substituts de permanence qui respondent laconiquement aux services de police alertés dès le vendredi soir par les parents frustrés de leur progéniture : «qu’il (elle) dépose une plainte mais ça peut attendre lundi». Services de police débordés qui aussi se désintéressent du problème en ne voulant pas recevoir la plainte.

On ne compte plus les situations où après dix plaintes voire beaucoup plus, le parent gardien ne subit aucune sanction. Un véritable encouragement à s’installer dans l’illégalité.

La non présentation d’enfant est une situation, d’autant plus, difficile à vivre pour les parents qui en sont victimes, qu’elle empêche l’exécution d’une décision judiciaire.

Voilà pour le constat, personne ne l’ignore et cela à toujours plus ou moins fonctionné ainsi.

C’est à proprement parler un constat d’échec. Les parents évincés attendent autre chose que de l’indifférence.

Hébergement secondaire – anciennement « droit de visite » S’il est vrai que la solution de l’hébergement égalitaire a fait des progrès, il est loin de faire l’unanimité dans les milieux féministes. Le droit d’hébergement secondaire reste la solution la plus utilisée, du moins en théorie, puisque dans bien des cas ce droit est systématiquement violé par des parents qui n’ont aucun scrupule.

La Ministre a cité (en 2003) le chiffre de 17.345 plaintes pour non-respect du droit de visite. D’autres sources évoquaient aisément 50.000 droits d’hébergement secondaire non respectés. Dans le même temps, les études menées (en France, Grande-Bretagne, Pays-Bas) révélaient qu’entre 14 et 43% d’enfants n’avaient plus de contact avec l’un des parents, souvent le père.

Les spécialistes en matière de prévention présents aux états généraux de la famille ont cité le divorce conflictuel comme cause principale de rupture de lien avec un des parents.

Or, les enfants ont besoin de liens affectifs étroits avec leurs deux parents.

Le pouvoir judiciaire doit intervenir pour imposer un autre système qui puisse garantir aux enfants de garder leurs deux parents. Le modèle de Cochem pourrait être une solution.

Quelle est la réalité en Belgique aujourd’hui? Annuellement, par mille habitants, il y a quatre unions et trois séparations! En prenant le nombre moyen de fécondité par couple, nous arrivons à 66.000 enfants concernés.

La rupture du lien parental mérite une sérieuse réflexion sur les origines et les conséquences. Le non-respect de l’hébergement secondaire conduit trop souvent à la rupture du lien affectif parental. Il est souvent le fait du « parent principal » qui refuse de donner accès à l’autre parent. Les raisons invoquées s’apparentent à des doutes ou à des accusations (attestations médicales, spéculations de violence, fausses accusations d’abus sexuels, volonté supposée de l’enfant etc…).

Si le « parent principal » garde une responsabilité personnelle en cas de non présentation d’enfant, il est, néanmoins, rarement sanctionné pour ce délit. La majorité des plaintes n’ont pas d’incidence dans l’obligation de remettre les enfants. La correctionnalisation du délit prend beaucoup de temps et ce temps va à l’encontre de l’intérêt de l’enfant.

De plus, la pénalisation ne donne lieu que très exceptionnellement à une condamnation voir un emprisonnement. Pourtant, ce délit s’apparente à un « rapt parental » mais il est rarement vu ainsi par les juges (souvent des femmes). La complaisance des juges va même jusqu’à, pour soustraire le parent principal des plaintes ou de citation directe en correctionnelle, décider de retirer tout simplement l’hébergement au parent secondaire. Cette pratique s’est rodée dans les tribunaux.

En revanche, si un «parent secondaire» n’exerce plus son droit de visite, on estime que l’enfant vit un traumatisme à cause du peu d’intérêt que son parent lui porte (souvent le père). Dans ce cas, la jurisprudence a imaginé un dédommagement sous forme d’astreinte. Un pragmatisme étonnant dès lors qu’il y a un intérêt d’argent !

Il découle de cette situation routinière un sentiment d’injustice qui, dans bien des situations, va entrainer des conséquences qui peuvent aller jusqu’au suicide. On est alors étonné du geste désespéré mais aussi du silence assourdissant et gêné qui accompagne l’effroyable nouvelle.

Les pouvoirs publics n’ont pas de réponse aux abus de pouvoir du « parent principal ». Or, il ne s’agit que de justice égalitaire, au lieu de viles spéculations sur les dangers pour l’enfant. Les dictons oubliés disent ‘élève ton enfant dans la justice, il aura le sens de la loyauté’.

Intérêt et conséquences pour les enfants L’enfant est otage : tantôt isolé par le « parent principal » qui parvient à empêcher l’enfant de voir son autre parent ; tantôt rejeté par le « parent secondaire » qui n’arrive plus à supporter la terrible pression à la fois psychologique, étatique et financière.

Il est terrible pour un enfant que de voir un parent souffrant, « démoli » par le système institutionnel. En effet, l’intérêt fondamental de l’enfant exige d’avoir des parents en bonne santé psychique et économique, qui puissent contribuer à l’épanouissement de leurs enfants.

Or, la privation des enfants, qui touche beaucoup d’hommes, peut être vécue comme une torture. Elle affecte dangereusement la santé et la collectivité. Les conséquences sont terribles pour l’enfant, enjeu d’un amour démesuré, qui subit des pathologies irrémédiables dans son développement émotionnel et psychologique.

Les conditions économiques futures de l’enfant sont aussi entravées puisque le patrimoine familial, l’avenir financier et professionnel sont compromis. L’ethnographe Pascale JAMOULE, observatrice neutre le décrit bien dans son dernier ouvrage.
Quel projet?

Certains tribunaux ont pris en compte les recommandations de l’école Gardner et menacent d’inverser le droit d’hébergement du parent principal dans les cas d’aliénation parentale avérée comme un réel outil de dissuasion mais c’est sans compter avec la pression médiatique.

SOS PAPA Belgique asbl – Place de la digue, 1 bte 4 – 6000 Charleroi | N° d’entreprise: 0826 414 264 – N° CB: 751-2052377-91 | Tél. : 071/33.04.06 | Micheline Van Gyseghem – présidente, Kérim Maamer – secrétaire, Vincenzo Semeraro – trésorier, Philippe Deladrière – administrateur | Contact: 0470/822.470 | http://sospapa.info | email : vincenzo@sospapa.info

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE:

Parental Alienation, keeping away a child from its parent! The affective and emotional damages!

SOS-Papa Belgium, PRESS RELEASE, Brussels April 4, 2012

Translated from French to English by Google

Wednesday, April 25, 2012, to mark the International Day of parental alienation, SOS PAPA Belgium vzw manifested before the site Portalis – Youth Court, rue des Quatre Bras, 4-1000 Brussels. Furthermore, the fund of maintenance claims, these members would raise the issue of emotional claims that are due to the child and who are never recoverable.

Receivables are emotional human side to the accommodation and / or equality and the right to personal relationships that are not respected. These non-financial receivables are irreplaceable and they cause irreparable damage in the development, education and child development.

The law implies the principle of contact between the child and the parent school. But nothing in the Act, defined or secondary guarantees this accommodation. This is at the discretion of judges, who decide on a “firm conviction” based on judicial habits fluctuating from one jurisdiction to another. The use case law often spend a weekend on two and half vacation. This usage leads to the breakdown of emotional connection. This is child maltreatment.

If there is a judicial practice that deserves to be pinned this is it there! Every weekend the right hosting provided by court order is violated thousands of copies. He is just as much during the holiday periods in the indifference of those who should at least try to stem this massive phenomenon, very penalizing, that overwhelms parents squeezed to the point of disrupting their lives.

In the first line and rare exception, there are substitutes that meet continuously laconically alerted the police on Friday evening by parents frustrated with their offspring, “he (she) makes a complaint but it can wait Monday. ” Overwhelmed police who also lost interest in the problem unwilling to receive the complaint.

There are countless situations where after ten or more complaints, the custodial parent does not suffer any penalty. A real encouragement to settle illegally.

The child is not presented with a situation, especially, difficult experience for parents who are its victims, it prevents the execution of a judicial decision.

That’s the finding, and everyone knows it to more or less worked well.

This is strictly a failure. Parents evicted expect anything but indifference.

Secondary Accommodation – formerly “visitation”

While the solution of the equal housing has made progress, it is far from unanimous in feminist circles. The right hosting secondary remains the most used, at least in theory, since in many cases this right is systematically violated by parents who have no scruples.

The Minister cited (in 2003) the figure of 17,345 complaints for breach of access rights. Other sources easily evoked 50,000 secondary hosting rights are not respected. At the same time, studies (in France, Britain, Netherlands) revealed that between 14 and 43% of children had no contact with one parent, usually the father.

Specialists in prevention present at the general state of family conflict divorce cited as the main cause of failure of a link with parents.

However, children need emotional closeness with both parents.

The judiciary must intervene to impose another system that can ensure that children keep their parents. The model of Cochem could be a solution.

What is the reality today in Belgium? Annually per thousand inhabitants, there are four unions and three separations! Taking the average fertility per couple, we arrive at 66,000 children involved.

The termination of the parental merits serious reflection on the origins and consequences. The failure of the secondary housing too often leads to the breakdown of parent-child attachment. It is often the result of the “primary parent” who refuses to give access to the other parent.

The reasons are similar to doubts or charges (medical certificates, speculation of violence, false accusations of sexual abuse, alleged will of the child etc …).

If the “primary parent” keeps a personal liability in case of no show for children, it is nevertheless rarely punished for this crime. Most complaints do not affect the obligation to return the children. The correctionnalisation the offense takes a long time and this time goes against the interests of the child.

Moreover, the penalty does not give rise to only very rarely see a prison sentence. However, this offense is similar to a “parental abduction” but it is rarely seen by the judges (often women). Complacency of judges will even, to subtract the primary parent complaints or direct quotation in magistrate decide to remove simply hosting the secondary parent. This practice has honed in the courts. However, if a “secondary parent” no longer carries the right of access, it is estimated that the child lives trauma because of little interest to him than its parent carrier (usually the father). In this case, the courts have devised a compensation in the form of a fine. Pragmatism surprising therefore that there is interest money!

It follows from this routine a sense of injustice that, in many situations, will result in consequences that can lead to suicide. We are then surprised by the gesture of despair but also of the deafening silence and embarrassed that accompanies the dreadful news.

Governments have no response to abuse of power “primary parent”. Now it is only of equal justice, instead of vile speculation about harm to the child. The forgotten sayings say “raise your children in righteousness, he will have the sense of loyalty.

Interest and impact on children

The child hostage: sometimes isolated by the “primary parent” who manages to prevent the child from seeing the other parent, sometimes rejected by the “parent school” that can no longer withstand the tremendous pressure both psychological and state funding.

It is terrible for a child to see an ailing parent, “demolished” by the institutional system. Indeed, the fundamental interest of the child requires parents to have healthy psychological and economic, which may contribute to the development of their children.

However, the deprivation of children, which affects many men, may be experienced as torture. It critically affects the health and community. The consequences are terrible for the child, issue of inordinate love, which undergoes irreversible pathologies in his emotional and psychological development.

Future economic conditions of the child are also made difficult because the family estate, professional and financial future are compromised. The ethnographer JAMOULE Pascale, neutral observer describes it well in his last work.

What project?

Some courts have considered the recommendations of the Gardner school and threaten to reverse the right to host the primary parent in cases of parental alienation proved to be a real deterrent but it is not factored in the media pressure .

Translated from French to English by Google

SOS PAPA Belgique asbl – Place de la digue, 1 bte 4 – 6000 Charleroi | N° d’entreprise: 0826 414 264 – N° CB: 751-2052377-91 | Tél. : 071/33.04.06  | Micheline Van Gyseghem – présidente, Kérim Maamer – secrétaire, Vincenzo Semeraro – trésorier, Philippe Deladrière – administrateur | Contact: 0470/822.470 | http://sospapa.info | email : vincenzo@sospapa.info
Posted in English, Francais, International Parental Alienation Awareness Day, SOS-PAPA Belgique | Leave a comment

Welcome to the Platform for European Fathers (PEF)

The Platform for European Fathers (PEF) was founded at the European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium on Monday June 27, 2011.

On the initiative of mr. Peter Tromp, chair of the Dutch ‘Vader Kennis Centrum‘ (Father Knowledge Centre), and made possible with the support of MEP mrs. Marije Cornelissen from the Greens/EFE in the European Parliament, participants of 16 father-, fatherhood- and equal parenting organisations came together on Monday 27th of June, 2011 at the PEF founding meeting in the European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium to agree and sign the Founding Statement for the EU federational NGO ‘Platform for European Fathers’ (PEF).

  • The PEF Founding Statement can be read here.
  • The listing of present participating Member Organisations of PEF can be found here.
Marije Cornellissen (MEP Dutch Greens/EFA), the 'founding mother' surrounded by the founding fathers of the 'Platform for European Fathers (PEF)' .

Marije Cornellissen (MEP Dutch Greens/EFA), the 'founding mother' surrounded by the founding fathers of the 'Platform for European Fathers (PEF)'. Left to right: André Müller (VeV, Switserland), Alan Beirne (PEI, Ireland), Rüdiger Meyer-Spelbrink (VAfK, Germany), Paul Coleman (PEI, Ireland), Rob Williams (Fatherhood Institute, UK, Vice Chair PEF), Robert Pigott:(IMN, Ireland), Heimir Hilmarsson (EPI, Iceland), Marije Cornellisse (MEP Dutch Greens/EFA), Jan van Baelen (VKC, Belgium), ??, Peter Tromp (VKC, Netherlands, Primary founding father and PEF Secretary), Robert Whiston (Men's Aid, UK), Vincenso Semeraro (SOS Papa, Belgium), Joseph Egan (PEI, Ireland, Chair PEF), Attila Vida (EAÉE, Hungary), Konstantina Davaki (Guest speaker LSE, UK), Pedro Duffill Hobbs (UEFFACC, Spain), Klaus Gerosa (VafK, Germany), Oliver Peter Hofmann (MP, Austria). (Not pictured in this photo: Paulo Leitao (LR, Portugal), Luis de Sousa (IP, Portugal), Sean Kelly (MSGI, Ireland), Elephterias Ayfantis (Sygapa, Greece)).

The founding of the Platform for European Fathers (PEF) was welcomed at the ‘European fathers’ congress’ in the European Parliament that was organised by the Greens/EFA on June 28, 2011 in support of paternity leave.

The founding of the Platform for European Fathers (PEF) was welcomed at the 'European fathers' congress' in the European Parliament that was organised by the Greens/EFA on June 28, 2011 in support of paternity leave.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

From the member organisations: Special Christmas Celebration for separated and divorced fathers in Vorarlberg, Austria

Papa gibt Gas“, one of the four Austrian member organisations of the Platform for European Fathers (PEF), together with the Catholic church organises a special Christmas Celebration for separated and divorced fathers on December 24 at 14:00 hours, in the church of “Maria Bildstein” in Vorarlberg, Austria.

“Papa gibt Gas” sends Christmas greetings to all fathers in Europe and wishes them power, strength, hope and good luck for the future.

Posted in 2011, Christmas Celebration, Deutsch, Events, Hannes Hausbichler (Papa Gibt Gas - Austria), Member Organisations, Papa Gibt Gas, PEF, Platform for European Fathers, Platform voor Europese Vaders, Weihnachtsveranstaltung | Leave a comment

‘Europe for Christmas’: Interview with Peter Tromp and Robert Whiston on Australian Radio ‘Dads on the Air’ (13 December 2011)

Source: Australia, Dads on the Air Radio Archives, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 10:30AM

 
With special guests:
  • Benjamin Wondergem
  • Ken Thompson
  • Peter Tromp
  • Robert Whiston

In our last show for 2011 and in the leadup to Christmas we have a European flavour. In the studio we are joined by Benjamin Wondergem visiting Sydney from the Netherlands and Ken Thompson who is well known to listeners in connection with the Hague Convention and more generally in the area of reforming the law on International Parental Child Abduction.

We cross to the Netherlands where we speak to Peter Tromp who is a Child and Educational Psychologist. Peter is the Chair Father Knowledge Centre Netherlands and the Secretary Platform for European Fathers.

To speak to our next guest we cross to the UK and speak to blogger Robert Whiston, Chair Men’s Aid UK. We hear directly about the recommendations in a recent report on Family Law made to the British Government. This report has made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Benjamin Wondergem
Benjamin is a serving Police Officer in the Netherlands who holds Masters Degrees in Health Care Management and Criminal Investigation. Benjamin was authorised to conduct a survey dealing with the attitude of the Dutch Police Officers and the prosecuting authority when dealing with a family conflict.

When we hear about the problems in the Netherlands it becomes apparent that fathers face enormous difficulties around the world in trying to maintain contact with their children after separation and divorce.

Ken Thompson
It was a pleasure to welcome Ken back to the program. Ken knows both Benjamin and Peter Tromp well from his time in the Netherlands so it was a bonus to have him in the studio. Ken and Benjamin are joint winners of the Netherlands 2011 Father of the Year Award.

Ken discusses with Benjamin the current situation in the Netherlands and has some important messages about International Parental Child Abduction including a plea for support for Stephen Watkins, the father from Canada who is now in Poland awaiting a legal decision on whether his abducted boys will be able to go back home to Canada.

Peter Tromp
When Peter Tromp travelled to the EU in Brussels in connection with consideration by the Parliament of paternity leave he discovered that fathers were not represented. With the support of the Dutch Greens Party Peter set about establishing the Platform for European Fathers (PEF) and since then the growth has been rapid. The PEF now has nineteen fatherhood and equal parenting organisations representing twelve European countries and including Switzerland, a non-EU country.

It would be great if other Greens parties around the world would recognise the injustice and support similar action.

PEF is a voice for fathers in Brussels when the EU is considering issues that affect fathers.

In addition to his work with PEF Peter operates the Father Knowledge Centre in The Netherlands where help is offered at an individual level. Peter sees this as particularly important as we approach Christmas when many fathers are going to be deprived of spending time with their children.

Robert Whiston
Our final guest is Robert Whiston who joins us from Westminster in the UK. Robert gives us an insight into the recent Norgrove Report to the British Government and some of the people behind it. Unfortunately that includes Jenn McIntosh from Australia who for some inexplicable reason was consulted for the report. Her contribution is evaluated by Robert in his blog Norgrove and McIntosh’s ‘junk science’.

It is illuminating to hear from someone whose expertise is in the figures to see how this particular psychologist has distorted the findings based on her small samples to come up with the conclusion she wanted.

One has to wonder why Norgrove resorted to a report published by McIntosh in 2009 when there are far more reliable reports using larger samples available from UK and US sources. Listen to Robert to see how far this much criticised Norgrove Report is likely to affect the law making agencies and the possible international repercussions.

DADS ON THE AIR FOR 2011
This is our last show for the year but we hope that listeners will take the opportunity over the break to visit some of the highlights in our shows over the year… and don’t forget to join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

In the leadup to Christmas we hope all the dads out there get together with family and friends. From Dads on the Air we wish you all the very best for a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Listen Now (MP3)

Posted in PEF in the Media, Peter Tromp, Peter Tromp (VKC Netherlands Primary founding father and Secretary of PEF), Robert Whiston (Men’s Aid UK) | Leave a comment

PLATFORM FOR EUROPEAN FATHERS CONCERNED 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

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)

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. 

Posted in Parental Alienation Syndrome, PEF Press Releases, Portugal | 6 Comments