Regardless of the reason, the impact of parental child abduction is significant. Parental child abduction may be the result of a parent feeling unjustly treated by the court process or frustrated with custody arrangements. It may be as a result of a contentious divorce or break-up, an effort to exert control over an ex-spouse or partner, or a way to deprive the other parent of access to the child. More complex reasons for parental child abduction may include one parent’s safety concerns for themselves, or their child. Whatever the reason, a parental child abduction sets in motion a series of events that can forever change the lives of the abducted child, their parents, as well as extended family and friends.
An American study 1 found that there are some common reasons why parents may choose to abduct their children including:
. The abducting parent feels ‘alienated’ or wronged by the legal system and custody arrangement.
. The abducting parent is a citizen of another country and feels the need to return to this country at the end of a relationship.
. The abducting parent wishes to cause harm and distress to the other parent.
. The abducting parent disregards authority, feels superior, and feels entitled to making ultimate decisions and/or overruling others.
. The abducting parent suffers from a mental illness which may include paranoia about the other parent.
. The abducting parent believes that their child was at risk of abuse or harm.
A parent who feels that the current custody or access arrangements are no longer in the child’s best interests or no longer meets the family’s needs, should be seeking legal advice. A parent can either ask the court to make a formal order, change an existing order, or enter into a written agreement with the other parent. A parent that does not go through the proper legal processes to settle disputes will likely face far more problems on custody and access than a parent who goes through the proper steps.