ABSTRACT
The act of removing children from their usual abode to another country and in the context of a parental dispute will almost inevitably be damaging to the welfare of the child(ren). A child is likely to feel uprooted from a familiar environment, especially in circumstances where the child loses contact with friends and relatives. The move may disrupt not only the child’s relationships but also his or her education and general sense of security, particularly if such a move is conducted in the context of a parental dispute. In a US review of the research literature on parental child abduction, it was concluded:
The research on parental abduction indicates that these incidents can be highly traumatic for both children and left-behind parents and that the longer the period of separation, the more damaging the impact is for the child and the left-behind parent. Parental abduction is a crime in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. However, for a variety of reasons, the criminal justice system’s response to these cases has historically been inadequate and sporadic. Improved education-for law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and the public-at-large-is needed to ensure a quicker and more effective response to the children and families affected by these crimes.
