Australian Parents Demand Child Abduction Laws

At least 150 children are abducted from Australia by a parent each year. Although most are eventually returned, some are never found.

One of the reasons for this is that unlike several other developed countries, International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) is not a crime in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Australia unless parenting matters are already before the Family Court. Now, the Family Law Reform Association (FLRA) is calling for new laws to make it a crime under any circumstances.

In a letter to Australia’s Attorney-General, the Secretary of the FLRA (Mrs Coral Slattery) says the association is alarmed about the number of children being abducted from Australia. She is seeking an urgent meeting with the Attorney-General to discuss the proposed new laws.

“Australian children are at a much higher level of risk of being abducted than children in other developed countries” says Mrs Slattery.

IPCA is one of the most extreme forms of abuse a parent can inflict upon a child, “These children are suddenly ripped away from one of their parents and everything they’ve ever known” said Mrs Slattery. IPCA causes extreme psychological damage to the child.

Other parenting groups and international missing children organizations have joined with the FLRA to campaign for the proposed legislation, along with stiff penalties for parents who break the proposed law.

“Australians don’t tolerate other forms of child abuse and they won’t tolerate this form either. An international abduction can happen to any child at any time because there are no laws to prevent it”, said a spokesperson for the Coalition of Parents of Abducted Children (COPAC).

Because IPCA is not a crime in Australia, the other parent has to navigate through a complex maze of national and international legal systems. “This is extremely expensive and slow, and happens when the parent is seriously traumatized and at a time when quick action is needed”, said the spokesperson.

The proposed law will deter parents who might consider abducting their children. It will also allow measures to be put in place to find abducted children sooner so the process of returning the child can begin more quickly.

New South Wales Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner, Ken Thompson, whose now five year old son, Andrew, was abducted by his wife Melinda Margaret  Thompson* in 2008 said, “Australia has the highest per capita rate of IPCA in the world. This highlights the need for new laws. It’s far too easy for a parent to abduct a child from this country”.

Mr Thompson says, “IPCA is an extreme form of child abuse. These parents are emotionally unstable, or have simply decided they want to live in another country, or they refuse to work through the normal legal processes. It’s the ultimate act of selfishness”.

His son is still missing.

Canberra businessman Frederick Mack spent seven years and $500,000 before returning to Australia with his son from Germany. “If someone flees Australia after committing a crime involving money the legal system swings into action, yet when a child is abducted there are no laws in place. This has to change!” he said.

Sydney author and businesswoman Margaret Wilcox searched for her daughter for 14 years. She said, “The abduction of a child by a parent is a terrible crime against the child’s human rights. Australia needs to create and adopt laws that reflect the seriousness of parental child abduction”. Her book, ‘Gone’ describes the extreme feelings and emotions experienced by parents who are left behind as they search for their children.

Melbourne man George Pessor’s two boys were illegally retained in Sweden while visiting their mother. He found them and brought them home, but the search left him bankrupt. He said, “It’s every parent’s nightmare to not know where your child is and not knowing if your child will see you again. Laws should protect children, ours protect their kidnappers!”

Australian true crime author Robin Bowles also supports the proposal. Her grandson was abducted to France in 1999 and was not returned. Her book ‘Taken in Contempt’ is an account of that abduction and several others. The book also highlights the need for more effective legislation in Australia.

The FLRA and other parenting groups believe the proposed law will deter parents who might consider abducting their children. It will also allow measures to be put in place to find abducted children sooner so the process of returning the child can begin more quickly.

“Our children are our future. We want to work with Australia’s Attorney-General to help reduce the risk of them being abducted” said Mrs Slattery.

* Melinda Margaret THOMPSON  could also be using the name Melinda Margaret STRATTON. The Family Court of Australia has issued a warning that she should not be approached. Anyone with information about Melinda and Andrew should contact local police &/or Interpol.