Online Support Group
In 2001, we saw a pressing unfulfilled need for parents separated and alienated from their children through high-conflict divorce or abduction. These parents needed a way to mentor and support each other on a scale far beyond what we could serve at Rachel. We recognized that the Internet held the potential to do this.
With volunteer Mariellen, we began Rachel’s online support group, PASparents, for parents, grandparents and step-parents of alienated children. This is a “safe container” in which members share their experiences, strengths and hopes. Mariellen composed the group guidelines given to new members when they enroll via the Rachel Foundation web site. We update these Guidelines each year during a retreat for PASparents moderators.
PASparents began with six “seed” members on November 3, 2001 and has grown to more than 600 today. Members range from those who have just discovered that they are not the only ones suffering the forced separation from their children, to those who have reunited with their children, often using tools acquired through the collective wisdom of PASparents. In order to protect the safety and confidentiality of group members to the extent possible in an internet forum, the group is moderated 24/7 year-round by a group of trained volunteers.
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