‘Warring parents are effectively abusing their children’ says MP
SEPARATED parents who seek to discredit each other in the eyes of their children are effectively committing child abuse, MP Simon Danczuk has said.
The Rochdale MP said there needs to be further debate about the potential for one or both parents to ‘psychologically harm’ their youngsters.
This could occur if the mother or father seeks to convince their child that the other parent does not love them, said Mr Danczuk.
He made the remarks during a parliamentary debate focused on the role of fathers in the family unit.
And he also called for a law change due to the ‘lack of fair access’ for fathers to children after a separation.
Mr Danczuk, who has four children from two previous marriages, told MPs in Westminster Hall: “It’s often the dad rather than the mother if we’re honest about this issue.
“I think perhaps we have to look at changes in legislation to be able to make access for fathers, when a separation has occurred, easier and more simple.
“I think it’s particularly important where one parent or indeed both parents, when there’s been a separation, psychologically harm the child and it is effectively child abuse by convincing the child that the other parent is not doing a good job or doesn’t love them, or something like that.
“I think it’s something that really does warrant further debate and examination in this House but also in society wider.”