The Effects and Consequences of International Child Abduction

Abstract

We all know, or at least we think we do, that child abduction is a bad thing. However, how clear are we about for whom, and the way in which this is so? Parental child abduction involves a complex set of legal, psychological and social issues.1 This article, relating to the effects and consequences of international child abduction, focuses on the latter two of these categories but these are intricately enmeshed within the first. How else are we to know, without understanding the psychological and social effects, whether the legal mechanisms in place to deal with the menace of abduction are sufficient, efficacious, and the best possible for dealing with the problem? And then the question follows, best possible for whom? John Eekelaar described abduction as the exploitation of children for the gratification of adults.2 Terr noted in 1983 that child snatching is not new. The ancient Greeks told stories of parent-directed kidnapping and Mozart's The Magic Flute depicted the after effects of child stealing.3 These tales, however, do not concern themselves with the child's reaction to these events. Some might argue that this has been a continuing theme.