Parental alienation lawsuits rise in Brazil, highlighting delays and disputes
A mother in Campinas, São Paulo, faced a parental alienation lawsuit despite her ex-husband having no contact with their five-year-old son for nine months. The case concluded with a judicial agreement, adding one extra day to the father's bi-weekly visitation. Parental alienation occurs when one parent influences a child to reject the other or withholds crucial information. The mother, who remained anonymous, was accused by her ex-husband of alienation and humiliation, claiming hostility from her. She countered that the father was the one who initiated the estrangement, citing his nine-month absence in 2024 during which their son pleaded for contact. This situation reflects a significant increase in parental alienation cases, with a reported 42% rise in legal actions between 2023 and 2025 across the Campinas and Piracicaba regions, according to the National Council of Justice (CNJ). In another instance, a father separated for over a decade claims his ex-wife manipulates their child and suspects abuse, stating he is denied access to school and medical records and has received no adequate response from the Child Protective Services or police. Campinas alone saw 29 new cases in 2024 and accounted for 33% of regional cases in 2025. Leandro Nagliate, president of Abracecap, identifies judicial delays as a major obstacle, with psychological and social evaluations sometimes taking years, by which time the child's relationship with a parent may be irreparably damaged. While the law allows for severe penalties like custody changes or suspension of parental rights, the misuse of this legislation has led to discussions about potentially revoking the law, with a proposal already approved by the Constitution and Justice Committee in the Chamber of Deputies since 2022. The São Paulo Court of Justice declined to comment on specific cases involving children due to privacy, and the Campinas Child Protective Services stated they handled their responsibilities and communicated with the courts.
The increasing number of parental alienation lawsuits in Brazil, particularly in the Campinas region, highlights systemic challenges within the family court system. Delays in judicial processes, as noted by Abracecap, can exacerbate parental conflict and negatively impact child welfare, potentially leading to prolonged estrangement. The debate surrounding the potential revocation of parental alienation laws, driven by concerns of misuse, suggests a tension between protecting children from manipulation and ensuring fair resolution for parents. Future reforms could explore mechanisms for more timely and effective dispute resolution, potentially incorporating specialized family mediation or therapeutic interventions, to address the complex emotional and legal dimensions of these cases. Considering the long-term implications for child development and family structures, a focus on evidence-based practices and judicial efficiency is crucial to mitigate the negative consequences of protracted legal battles.
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