Preventing (Parental) Child Abduction: Keeping Your Child Safe

When parents separate or divorce, the child always suffers the consequences. And one of these consequences could be parental child abduction. Abduction occurs when one parent takes the child without the other parent’s permission. This can happen for many reasons, such as to keep the child away from the other parent or to take the child out of the country. 

Abduction can also happen when one parent doesn’t want to let the other parent see the child because they didn’t get legal custody. If you think your child has been abducted, there are some things you can do to try to get them back. 

How to prevent parental child abduction

Parental child abduction is a rising problem in the United Kingdom. A recent study by the NSPCC found that one in five children aged between four and sixteen had experienced some form of parental child abduction.

There are many reasons parents may abduct their children, but the most common is preventing the other parent from having access to them. Other reasons include revenge, financial gain, or protecting the child from harm.

Here are 4 things parents can do to prevent their children from being abducted by the other parent:

• You should keep communication open with the other parent and try to resolve any disagreements peacefully.

• You should keep track of your children’s whereabouts and make sure that they always know where the children are.
• Change the child’s name or surname or both by visiting the UK Deed Poll Office immediately. This will help to keep the child safe as it will make it more difficult for the abducting parent to find them. 

What To Do If a Divorced Parent Abducts Your Child 

A parent who abducts their child is breaking the law. If you are a victim of parental child abduction, you can take steps to get your child back and bring the abductor to justice.

You should first call the police. It is important to have as much information as possible about the situation, including the name and contact information of the other parent. If you have a custody order, be sure to bring a copy with you to the police station.

Meanwhile, there are things you can do to try to find your child on your own. You can reach out to family and friends of the other parent, as well as any mutual acquaintances. You can also search social media sites for clues about their whereabouts.

The effects of parental child abduction on the family

Parental child abduction can have a profound effect on the family. The child may feel isolated and confused, and the family may feel helpless and angry. Here are some tips on how to cope with this difficult situation.

If a parent has abducted your child, it is important to stay calm. This can be stressful and emotional for you and your family. Try to focus on getting your child back safely. 

The first step is contacting the police and reporting the abduction. They will open an investigation and work with Interpol if the abducting parent has taken the child out of the country. The sooner you report the abduction, the better chance the police have of finding your child.

Conclusion

Parental child abduction is a serious problem that often goes unrecognised. You can consider changing your child to prevent them from getting identified by a former parent and taken against your will. If you think your child is at risk of being abducted, there are many things you can do to protect them, such as getting a restraining order against the abducting parent.