Response To Alsalem, Et Al (2022) “Brazill: Un Experts Urge New Government To Target Violence Against Women And Girls, Repeal Parental Alienation Law” (Download)

Alsalem et al, (2022) called on Brazilian authorities to repeal Law 12,318 (2010) designed to protect children from parental alienation.  They claimed that Law 12,318 (2010) harms children, endangers women, hinders birth control, and obstructs abortions.  The present response analyzed Alsalem et al, (2022), Law 12,318 (2010) along with UN reports and peer-reviewed literature.  Alsalem et al, (2022) did not provide any methodology or results for others to replicate nor did they cite any scientific sources for their claims.  Since 2018 there were: 7,020 peer-reviewed Brazilian publications on parental alienation, 12,800 on child abuse, 17,200 on violence against women.  None linked Law 12,318 (2010) to increased violence of any kind.  Quite the opposite, international scientific data shows that jurisdictions including Brazil and Tel Aviv effectively protect children from psychological exploitation with such laws.  The conclusion was to caution authorities against repealing laws that protect children from parental alienation.