PRINTER'S NO. 3558
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
937
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BIZZARRO, READSHAW, HENNESSEY, TOOHIL, VITALI,
DUSH, SONNEY, SCHLOSSBERG, SOLOMON, RYAN, NEILSON, MILLARD,
DiGIROLAMO, CALTAGIRONE, KAUFFMAN, WATSON AND KINSEY,
MAY 23, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 23, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of June 3 through 9, 2018, as "Parental
Alienation and Hostile Aggressive Parenting Awareness Week"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Parental Alienation and Hostile Aggressive
Parenting Awareness Week" is a Statewide effort aimed at raising
awareness about the adverse effects that parental alienation
(PA) and hostile aggressive parenting (HAP) have on the
psychological and emotional well-being of children; and
WHEREAS, Parental alienation is the process and result of
psychological manipulation of a child into showing unwarranted
fear, disrespect or hostility toward a targeted parent or other
family member; and
WHEREAS, A parent may engage in PA by using negative
comments, blame and false accusations against the other parent
or thwarting the other parent's attempts to have parenting time
in order to coerce the child into severing contact; and
WHEREAS, The effects of PA on children can include low self-
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esteem, lack of trust, depression and addiction; and
WHEREAS, By some estimates, PA occurs in 11% to 15% of all
divorces involving children and up to 1% of children and
adolescents in North America experience PA; and
WHEREAS, PA is an often overlooked form of child abuse and is
deserving of an appropriate child protection response; and
WHEREAS, Parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a
psychological condition most often observed in children affected
by high-conflict divorce or separation or custody modifications
and is the result of exposure to hostile aggressive parenting;
and
WHEREAS, HAP is a general pattern of behavior that creates
undue difficulties or interference in the relationship between a
child and the other parent; and
WHEREAS, HAP is not only limited to parents, but can also be
perpetrated by grandparents, extended family members or any
other person or agency with some control or influence over a
child; and
WHEREAS, A child reserves the right to be a part of each
parent's life as each parent plays an integral role in a child's
life; and
WHEREAS, Children should not be used as either weapons or
pawns; and
WHEREAS, Children should be provided with the ability to love
both parents and be able to receive the love of both parents in
return; and
WHEREAS, The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts is
urged to offer nationally certified educational information
about the effects of PA and HAP as part of its Judicial
Education curriculum to be readily accessed by this
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Commonwealth's family court judges; and
WHEREAS, Raising awareness about PA and HAP gives judges,
lawyers, police officers, doctors, policymakers and the general
public the tools to address this issue and help end the abuse of
innocent children caught in the crossfire of spousal conflict;
and
WHEREAS, In December 2005, the first "Parental Alienation and
Hostile Aggressive Parenting Awareness Day" was launched by
Sarvy Emo, a friend of a parent who was suffering the effects of
PA and HAP; and
WHEREAS, In August 2006, Sarvy Emo, Robin Denison and Neil
Vercoe established the Parental Alienation Awareness
Organization for the purpose of bringing education and awareness
to the issues of PA and HAP; and
WHEREAS, April 25, 2018, marked the 13th annual observance of
"Parental Alienation and Hostile Aggressive Parenting Awareness
Day," which was recognized nationally and within this
Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of June 3 through 9, 2018, as "Parental Alienation and
Hostile Aggressive Parenting Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
Pennsylvanians to learn more about the concept and the adverse
effects of parental alienation and hostile aggressive parenting.
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