Parental alienation is a recurring problem that affects many families who are experiencing conflict, separation or divorce. It is the situation where the alienating parent teaches the child to reject, fear and avoid having contact with the other parent.
In 2019 this 'caregiver-child relationship problem' was officially recognised by The World Health Organisation, but it's been a violation of South African children’s rights since 2005.
Nonetheless, it is still relatively unknown, and often goes unnoticed or is misunderstood even by the psychologists and legal professionals involved in the mediation and divorce process.