MARALEE MCLEAN – Prosecuted But Not Silenced
The Dr. Theresa Nicassio Show

After learning from a daycare worker that her young daughter was being sexually abused by her former husband, Maralee took steps to protect her child from further abuse. Unfortunately, despite documentation from her child’s pediatrician and other healthcare and childcare professionals that confirmed the abuse, McLean’s advocacy efforts for her daughter resulted in her being accused of creating “Parental Alienation Syndrome” and the loss of full custody of her daughter who was subsequently sent to live instead with the same man who Maralee was trying to protect her from.

Parental Alienation Syndrome

Prior to his suicide in 2003, Dr. Richard Gardner independently created what he termed a “syndrome” after working on behalf of many fathers who had been accused of sexually molesting their children. It’s important to note that this so-called “syndrome” is not one that has ever been embraced and ratified by the mental health profession.

As described in PsychCentral, “Parental alienation syndrome is a term coined by the late forensic psychiatrist Richard Gardner to describe a phenomenon he witnessed where children were being turned against one parent, usually as the result of a divorce or bitter custody battle.”

~John M. Grohol, Psy.D. Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Psych Central.

In a press release in 2008, the American Psychological Association stated the following about the purported syndrome:

“The American Psychological Association believes that all mental health practitioners as well as law enforcement officials and the courts must take any reports of domestic violence in divorce and child custody cases seriously. An APA 1996 Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family noted the lack of data to support so-called “parental alienation syndrome”, and raised concern about the term’s use. However, we have no official position on the purported syndrome.”

Though his work has been relied on by many courts, Gardener’s work was and continues to be very controversial and troubling for many mental health professionals and child rights activists, especially given some of the statements that he reportedly has made that suggested his perception of the normalcy of pedophilia, such as, “There is a bit of pedophilia in every one of us.” Gardner, R.A. (1991). Sex Abuse Hysteria: Salem Witch Trials Revisited. Cresskill, NJ: Creative Therapeutics. (p. 118)ntly created what he termed a “syndrome” after working on behalf of many fathers who had been accused of sexually molesting their children. It’s important to note that this so-called “syndrome” is not one that has ever been embraced and ratified by the mental health profession.

Serving as Director of non-profit Moms Fight Back, Maralee has written several articles for the ABA Child Law Journal, Women’s E-News and other publications on the problems of family courts not protecting abused children. Maralee is with Women’s Media Center (WMC), SheSourceExpert, NPEIV (National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence) and is with APB Speakers and RAINN speaker bureau. She speaks at conferences, law schools and is a spokesperson for protective mothers. Maralee’s story has been covered by many media outlets and internationally on CNN.