Child abduction within expatriate families

Child abduction within expatriate families is on the rise. With increasing numbers of multinational families, and families chosing to live as expatriates, these numbers will only increase. The number of parental child abduction and custody cases has more than doubled over the last decade, with almost two children being abducted abroad each day, according to new figures released today by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Reunite, the child abduction charity.

Child abduction on the rise in Expat families

In 2012/13 alone, 8 children were abducted to the United Arab Emirates, 5 to Oman and 35 to Pakistan.

Alison Shalaby, Chief Executive of Reunite, said:

‘Parental child abduction is not faith or country specific – we see cases involving a range of countries from France and Poland to Thailand, Pakistan and Australia. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for families, especially if the relationship between parents has broken down. However, there is help available if you think that your partner may be considering abducting your children. Last year we helped to prevent 412 cases involving 586 children which demonstrates something can be done to prevent it from happening to you.’

Read more here.

If you have concerns that your spouse may be considering taking the children from their home country without consent, please email us for urgent and confidential advice on the preventative measures that can be taken to prevent abduction of expat children.