By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Clanton and Maplesville have proclaimed April 23 – 29 as Parental Alienation Prevention Week and April 25 as Bubbles for Love Day.

Mayors Billy Joe Driver of Clanton and W.C. Hayes of Maplesville said the proclamations are an annual occurrence in partnership with the Alabama Family Rights Association.

The purpose of Parental Alienation Prevention Week is “to increase the knowledge and understanding of this problem to help Alabamians, institutions, the legal and mental health community and leaders to identify and combat this abusive behavior to children,” according to the proclamation.

On April 25 at noon, residents are encouraged to set aside 10 minutes to blow Bubbles for Love in support of Parental Alienation Awareness. Driver plans to participate in Bubbles of Love Day by blowing bubbles outside city hall.

The Alabama Family Rights Association, in a flyer about the day, said the bubbles symbolize “the precious nature of childhood and the responsibility to protect our children.”

According to the local proclamations, ” Parental alienation is a term used to describe any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent, both parents, or third party designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their other parent.  It’s a form of abuse that causes emotional trauma to children.”

Driver said there are so many reports of mistreatment and abuse of children and “most of them are at an age where they can’t help themselves.” The mayor encouraged the community to know their neighbors and be aware of what is happening around them to help protect children from abuse.

The Alabama Family Rights Association states, “Parental Alienation is evidenced by the alienating behaviors of a person, such as a parent, family members, or as a result of the judicial system restricting the relationship between a child and a loving parent. Alienation can severely damage or destroy a child’s relationship with a parent.”

In 2014, 40,000 children in Alabama were involved in child custody cases.

“We call on community and state leaders to support shared parenting because of its benefits for children,” the proclamation states.

For more information about Parental Alienation, visit paawareness.com.