Given several trillion years, we will get to utopia.
Bet?
ex: is it not a crime for one parent to slander another parent on visits, once separated?
(I could have worded that better, but Artie got the drift)
AI Overview
Yes, for a separated parent to slander, disparage, or “badmouth” the other parent to or in front of the children is not only generally considered a form of psychological abuse known as
parental alienation, but it can also be a
contempt of court if a non-disparagement clause exists in a parenting order.
While it might not always be treated as a criminal offence in the same way as physical assault, courts take this behavior very seriously and it can lead to severe legal and custody consequences.
Legal and Family Court Consequences
Family courts, such as in Ontario, view malicious badmouthing as a harmful behavior that violates the "best interests of the child" standard.
- Contempt of Court: Violating a non-disparagement clause in a court order can lead to contempt charges, resulting in fines, or in extreme cases, imprisonment.
- Loss of Custody: Continued alienation can lead to a court ordering a reversal of custody, giving the target parent primary decision-making responsibility, or shifting to supervised visitation for the alienating parent.
- Civil Protection Orders: If the slander escalates into harassment (e.g., calling the other parent's workplace or sending threats), it may result in a civil protection order (restraining order).
When Slander Becomes Criminal
Certain actions taken during this process may cross into criminal activity:
- False Allegations of Abuse: If one parent knowingly lies to police or child protection services (CAS) about abuse during visits, they may be committing perjury or mischief, which are criminal offences.
- Obstruction of Justice: Manipulating a child to make false statements about the other parent to authorities can be treated as obstruction of justice.
Examples of Prohibited Behaviour
Courts often issue orders prohibiting the following, which are considered parental misconduct:
- Calling the other parent names or using derogatory language in front of the child.
- Sharing inappropriate details about the separation or court cases with children.
- Preventing or disrupting contact, such as phone calls or scheduled visits.
- Using children as messengers, spies, or pawns in disputes.
Taking Action
If this is happening, experts recommend:
- Documenting Everything: Keeping a log of when the disparagement occurred, what was said, and witnesses present.
- Seeking Legal Advice: Contacting a family lawyer to enforce or update a parenting order to include a non-disparagement clause.
- Counseling: Arranging therapy for the child to help them manage the stress of parental conflict.
“It’s not just about what they say, it’s that they use the child to manipulate and turn them against you. It really is a form of emotional abuse and it’s meant to break that parent-child bond.”
Parental Alienation In Ontario: Know Your Legal Rights
“I honestly didn't realize that the things my ex was saying to our daughter during drop-offs were technically 'parental alienation' until our lawyer pointed out all the examples of 'badmouthing' I had logged.”
How Canadian Family Law Defines Parental Alienation
“You have to document the times they are doing this in front of the kids and also the false accusations they are telling them. The courts really do take this seriously.”
Parental Alienation in Ontario: What It Means, Signs to Watch ...
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This was appreciated during a left jab recently.
Why can you never trust atoms?
Because they make up everything.