International Child Abductions

"This book encompasses all aspects of international child abduction through the lens of an empirical study of the open files on abductions to and from Belgium in 2007 and 2008. It sheds light on the operations of the Hague Child Abduction Convention of 1980, on Brussels IIa (referred to in the book as Brussels IIbis), on the bilateral agreements that Belgium has with Morocco and Tunisia, and on cases of child abduction where no international instrument applied. However the book is not a piece of traditional, analytical legal scholarship. Instead, the book reveals to us the stories of the left-behind parents, a few of the abducting parents, and many of the professionals involved (e.g. lawyers, judges, psychologists, and people working for Central Authorities)"--Series editors' preface.

International child abduction occurs when one parent wrongfully (ie in breach of the parental responsibility of the other parent) takes a child to a country other than that of the child's habitual residence, or wrongfully keeps a child in such country. The author of this work was part of a research team that conducted a study, partially funded by the European Commission, to examine this problem in Belgium and Hungary, analysing cases from 2007 and 2008 and interviewing affected parents. This book is a revised version of the Belgian research report, which sets the problem of child abduction within its international context. It looks at the families in which abductions took place, how preparations were made for abduction, the quest for the return of the child (including legal proceedings) and the aftermath of the abductions. Throughout the book, the results of the quantitative and qualitative data are explained. What emerges is that when a child is abducted, the solutions offered by the law are often inadequate. Family conflict is a complex societal issue, and child abduction is a severe form of family conflict. Rather than responding to child abduction with strict and contentious legal proceedings, the book argues that solutions based on respect, psychological assistance, and a search for consensus should be favoured.

Every year, hundreds of children in the United States are victims of international parental kidnapping- a child's wrongful removal from the United States, or wrongful retention in another country, by a parent or other family member. Parents and other family members left behind may be overwhelmed by feelings of loss, anguish, despair, and anger-as well as confusion and uncertainty about what can be done in response.In December 1999, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention invited a small group of left-behind and searching parents to participate in a planning and development meeting. Each one had experienced first hand the heartbreak of having a child abducted to another country or wrongfully retained abroad. Some of them had recovered their children, while others had not. They willingly shared their knowledge of international parental kidnapping-gained at tremendous personal cost- to help other parents of abducted children understand what can be done to: * Prevent an international parental kidnapping.* Stop a kidnapping in progress.* Locate a kidnapped or wrongfully retained child in another country.* Bring an abductor to justice.* Recover a kidnapped or wrongfully retained child from another country.* Reestablish access to a child in another country.This guide imparts the group's practical wisdom and the hope that other parents will not have to experience the confusion and discouragement these parents did when it was not clear what to do or whom to turn to when their children were kidnapped. The group offered its suggestions for preventing international kidnapping and gave detailed advice to maximize the chance that children who are kidnapped or wrongfully retained will be returned to this country.The guide provides descriptions and realistic assessments of the civil and criminal remedies available in international parental kidnapping cases. It explains applicable laws and identifies both the public and private resources that may be called on when an international abduction occurs or is threatened. It gives practical advice on overcoming frequently encountered obstacles so that parents can get the help they need. The guide prepares parents for the legal and emotional difficulties they may experience and shares coping and general legal strategies to help them achieve their individual goals, whether they involve recovering a child or reestablishing meaningful access to a child in another country.Despite the difficulties that may lie ahead and the disappointment some parents may experience, it is important not to become discouraged. Stay hopeful. Many things can be done to prevent or to resolve an international parental kidnapping. This guide will help you organize your response

Sample cases show how recovery efforts have worked for others. The texts of important federal laws dealing with international parental abduction are included. A directory of passport offices, embassies, and state clearinghouses for information on missing children helps parents locate important sources of help.

"An international child abduction occurs when a child is taken from or kept outside Canada (usually by a parent or guardian) in breach of the rights of custody of another person (usually those of the other parent) or in breach of a court order. International child abductions are difficult and complex situations. Unfortunately, they are common. Every year, Canadian children are wrongfully taken from Canada or held in another country by abducting parents. ... This guidebook has information about: preventing an abduction, stopping an abduction in progress, finding your child in a foreign country, and bringing your child back to Canada. It also has lists of resources and organizations you can turn to for help and checklists of information you will need during each stage of the process"--Introduction, page 2.