Parental Alienation
Parental alienation is a complex subject, which is becoming better understood by the Courts. It occurs as a result of psychological pressure or manipulation on the part of one parent, causing the child to display hostility towards the other. It can result in the relationship between a child and parent breaking down, possibly to the point where a child refuses to see a parent.
Parental alienation exists on a spectrum. It could be as simple a parent saying unpleasant things to a child about the other, causing the child to feel negatively towards them. At its worst, it a child can be pressured to make up allegations of harm against a parent.
It is important to bear in mind that a child refusing to see, or being wary of, a parent is not always a sign of parental alienation. Other causes include domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse. There are circumstances where it is reasonable for one parent to wish to protect the child from the other. However, if your child is not being allowed contact with you, or is refusing to see you, it is important to act quickly to try to resolve the situation