Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to record centrally the number of cases in child contact arrangements where (a) allegations of parental alienation have been reported, (b) allegations of both parental alienation and domestic abuse have been reported, (c) who has made the allegations against whom, and (d) the outcome of such cases around child contact arrangements.

Incidences of alleged parental alienation by either parent in relation to family proceedings about child arrangements are not recorded centrally.

A new monitoring and reporting mechanism is being piloted by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and the Victim’s Commissioner. This mechanism aims to improve understanding of how private law children cases involving domestic abuse are treated.

In addition, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) reports any concerns about alienating behaviours to the court, focusing on the impact on the child’s safety and welfare and in the context of wider family dynamics.