Parental alienation, the vilification of one parent by another, is a tactic used by a parent to turn a child against the other parent.

PA is not only devastating to the targeted parent, but can also emotionally damage the child who is used by the alienating parent.

A parent may...

Bad-mouth the other parent in front of the child.
Withdraw love and affection after a visit with the targeted parent.
Kidnap the child in order to completely remove the targeted parent from the child's life.

These tactics and many more can be emotionally devastating to children, leaving them scared with guilt, depression, low self-esteem, lack of trust in themselves and others...
even for a life time.