Join the Movement: How the Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation are helping Australian's Impacted

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2026 Update: EMMM's Evolving Terminology

Since my article was originally published, the Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation (EMMM) has shifted its terminology and framework.

In 2026, EMMM announced that it would no longer use “Parental Alienation” as its primary terminology, describing it instead as an outcome-based label that does not fully capture the processes occurring within these families.

EMMM now uses “Survival-Based Rejection: Parent-Child Trauma-Coerced Attachment and Alienation” (PCTCAA), placing greater emphasis on coercive control, trauma, attachment disruption, psychological manipulation and the processes that may lead a child to reject a parent.

Importantly, this represents an evolution in how EMMM conceptualises and communicates the phenomenon. Not a position that the underlying behaviours or family harm do not occur.

My own advocacy continues to use the term parental alienation while also examining the behaviours and psychological mechanisms that may contribute to it. I believe we can investigate why and how alienation develops without abandoning terminology that describes what has occurred within the parent-child relationship.

The terminology may be evolving, but the shared goal remains the same: better recognition, earlier intervention and greater protection for children and families.

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Parental alienation affects at least one million Australian children today. This silent crisis tears families apart and leaves lasting scars on children caught in the middle of parental separation or divorce. The Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation is stepping up to address this urgent issue by raising awareness and pushing for legislative change. Their petition calls for parental alienating behaviours to be recognised as child abuse and family violence. Signing this petition supports the future wellbeing of countless children who might otherwise suffer in silence.

Understanding Parental Alienation and Its Impact

Parental alienation happens when one parent deliberately undermines or blocks a child's relationship with the other parent. This can take many forms, such as badmouthing, limiting contact, or manipulating the child’s feelings. The effects on children are profound:

• Emotional distress and confusion

• Loss of trust in one or both parents

• Long-term psychological harm

• Difficulty forming healthy relationships later in life

  
  

The Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation highlights that these behaviours are not just harmful but should be legally recognised as a form of child abuse and family violence. This recognition would help protect children and hold offending parents accountable.

The Role of the Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation

The foundation is dedicated to supporting families affected by parental alienation. Their work includes:

• Raising public awareness about the issue

• Providing resources and support for affected families

• Advocating for legal reforms to protect children’s rights

  
  

By educating the community and policymakers, the foundation aims to create a safer environment for children caught in parental disputes.

Why Legislative Change is Crucial

Currently, parental alienating behaviours are often overlooked or misunderstood in family law. This gap leaves children vulnerable and allows harmful behaviours to continue unchecked. The petition launched by the Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation calls for:

• Clear legal definitions of parental alienation as child abuse

• Stronger protections for children in family court decisions

• Support services for children and families affected by alienation

  
  

Changing the law would send a strong message that parental alienation is unacceptable and harmful. It would also provide courts with better tools to protect children’s best interests.

How You Can Help: Signing the Petition

Your signature on the petition is a powerful way to support children’s rights and wellbeing. By signing, you:

• Join a growing movement demanding changes in Australia

• Help raise awareness among lawmakers and the public

• Support families struggling with parental alienation

  
  

The petition is available at https://emmm.org.au/petition-1. It takes just a moment but can make a lasting difference.

Real Stories Show the Need for Action

Many families have shared their experiences with parental alienation, revealing the emotional toll it takes. For example, one mother described how her child was suddenly refusing contact without explanation, influenced by the other parent’s negative comments. Another father spoke about losing years of relationship with his child due to court delays and lack of legal recognition of alienation.

These stories underline the urgent need for laws that protect children and support healthy parent-child relationships.

What the Future Could Look Like

If the petition succeeds and laws change, children will benefit from:

• Greater stability during family separations

• Protection from emotional harm caused by alienation

• Access to counselling and support services

• Courts prioritising children’s best interests over parental conflict

  
  

The Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation envisions a future where no child suffers because of parental alienating behaviours. References Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation. 2025. https://emmm.org.au/