A true story that reveals how children can be torn between loyalty, love, and survival when psychological abuse becomes invisible chains.”

What is Child Psychological Abuse Related to Parental Alienation and Abduction?

Child Psychological Abuse related to Parental Alienation and Abduction (CPA-PA) goes beyond simple family conflict. It occurs when a child is manipulated, coerced, or psychologically pressured to reject or fear a parent, often following abduction or during high-conflict custody disputes. Unlike typical estrangement, CPA-PA is deliberate, systematic, and deeply damaging—leaving scars that affect identity, trust, and emotional development long into adulthood.

In Sealed To My Abductor, Dawn McCarty offers a rare, deeply personal window into how CPA-PA plays out in real life. Her story reveals the hidden strategies abusers use to sever a child’s bond with a loving parent and the lifelong impact of growing up inside a false narrative. By blending lived experience with trauma-informed insights, her memoir helps us understand that this isn’t just “alienation”—it’s a form of psychological abuse that robs children of both truth and choice.

The Role of Religion in Trauma

In McCarty’s experience, her abduction was compounded by the misuse of religion, specifically within the framework of the Mormon Church. This misuse not only facilitated her baptism but also contributed to a process that she describes as being 'sealed' for time and all eternity. Here are some key aspects of how religion played a role:

• Weaponization of Beliefs: McCarty reveals how deeply held beliefs can be manipulated to reinforce trauma.
• Fraudulent Practices: The adoption process was founded on deception, extending the emotional harm to a child.
• Community Isolation: The church community's response often left victims feeling even more isolated and misunderstood.

The Dynamics of a "Cult of Two"

McCarty describes her relationship with her abductor as a “cult of two”—a powerful phrase that captures the insular, coercive bond often formed in abusive situations. This dynamic is critical in understanding the psychology of trauma bonding, Stockholm syndrome, and what researchers identify as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA).

Stockholm Syndrome: McCarty’s experience demonstrates how victims may develop complex, even protective feelings toward their captor. These psychological ties can make recognizing abuse—and escaping it—exceptionally difficult.

Manipulation of Reality: Within the framework of FDIA, abusers distort reality and orchestrate crises to maintain dependency. For children, this manipulation is devastating, shaping their worldview and entrenching loyalty to the very person causing them harm (Price-Tobler, 2023. p. 142).

Through the lens of her story, McCarty sheds light on how such bonds form and persist, even in the most destructive of circumstances. By naming it a “cult of two,” she offers a powerful framework for understanding the hidden architecture of coercive control.

Real-Life Effects on Victims

The psychological impact of abduction and CPA-PA is not only immediate but also often long-lasting. Survivors like McCarty live with hidden scars that can shape how they see themselves and the world around them. Understanding these effects helps us better recognize and support those who have endured similar trauma.

Dissociation: Many victims learn to “switch off” from reality in order to endure overwhelming fear or abuse. This coping mechanism can shield a child in the moment but later creates challenges in memory recall, emotional regulation, and even identity formation. Trauma specialists note that dissociation is one of the brain’s most powerful survival tools but also one of the hardest to heal from without support (Price-Tobler, 2023 p. 48).

Trust Issues: When betrayal comes from those meant to provide safety—such as a parent or caregiver—it fundamentally disrupts a child’s ability to trust. Survivors may grow up wary of relationships, struggling to believe that love or safety can be real. This can affect friendships, marriages, and even professional settings, creating a ripple effect across a lifetime.

Emotional Turmoil: Victims often carry misplaced guilt, shame, or anger instilled by their abuser’s manipulation. Left unaddressed, these emotions can harden into self-blame or destructive patterns. Healing requires not only personal resilience but also compassionate validation from others—acknowledging that these feelings are normal responses to abnormal circumstances.

McCarty shines light on these dynamics in a way that is both deeply personal and universally educational. Her memoir demonstrates that while the wounds of psychological abuse run deep, recovery and resilience are possible with awareness, empathy, and support.

What Can Be Done?

CPA-PA is devastating—but healing and resilience are possible. If you or someone you know is navigating the aftermath of alienation or abuse, these steps can help restore strength and connection:

• Seek Professional Help
  Working with a trauma-informed therapist can provide strategies tailored to the complex layers of abuse, alienation, and identity disruption. Professional guidance is often the first step toward reclaiming one’s voice.

• Build a Circle of Support
  Isolation is one of abuse’s most powerful weapons. Surrounding yourself with trusted friends, family, or support groups can help counteract shame and reinforce that you are not alone.

• Empower Yourself Through Knowledge
  Education is a form of healing. Learning about CPA-PA helps survivors name their experiences and dismantle the myths their abusers created. Memoirs like Sealed To My Abductor not only validate those experiences but also offer hope, perspective, and solidarity.

• Advocate for Change
  Sharing your story, raising awareness, or supporting organizations that fight psychological abuse can transform pain into purpose, ensuring fewer children endure the same struggles.

Conclusion

Sealed To My Abductor is more than a memoir, it is a mirror, a warning, and a roadmap. Dawn McCarty’s story reveals how child psychological abuse related to parental alienation and abduction (CPA-PA) can intertwine with family systems, religion, and identity in ways that leave lasting scars. Yet, her journey also illuminates the possibility of resilience, truth, and restoration.

By pulling back the curtain on the hidden realities of abuse, McCarty offers validation to survivors and a deeper understanding to advocates, professionals, and communities. Her voice reminds us that healing begins when silence is broken and when stories, however painful, are reclaimed with courage.

This is not just Dawn’s story. It is a call to awareness, a plea for protection of children, and an invitation for all of us to stand against cycles of psychological abuse. Sealed To My Abductor dares us to imagine a world where truth and empathy prevail, and where no child has to be sealed to their  abuser.

References

Price-Tobler, A. (2023). SPAA and factitious disorder imposed on another. Disrupting the intergenerational trauma cycle of high-conflict divorce: A guide for mental health practitioners and adult child survivors of child psychological abuse: severe parental alienation (Book 1).