For the first time in four years, there has been a decrease in child abductions in the Netherlands
Last year the headline NOS still with the news “More reports of child abduction for the third year in a row”. In 2019 there is more positive news! For the first time in four years, the number of children abducted from or to the Netherlands has decreased. Where in 2017 288 children were involved in an international child abduction, that number for the year 2018 is 221 children. The number of children involved in a threat of international child abduction has also decreased. In 2017, no fewer than 488 children in the Netherlands were involved in a threatened child abduction and in 2018 the number was 287 children. A positive development that we hope will continue in the coming years.
When does international child abduction occur?
The place of residence of a child is determined by the parent(s) with parental authority. In principle, both parents with parental authority must agree on the change of the child's place of residence. International child abduction occurs when a child is taken to another country or held in another country without the consent of the (other) parent with parental authority. It is almost always one of the parents who unlawfully takes the child or retains it.
What is the reason for the decline?
The International Child Abduction Centre, which guides and advises parents in the event of (threatened) international child abductions, gives as the reason for the decrease that in recent times more has been put into prevention, better awareness among parents and stricter control. Minister Dekker of Legal Protection has instructed the International Child Abduction Centre to focus extra on prevention in the coming three years.
Did you know?
Of the 221 children abducted in 2018, 147 children were abducted from the Netherlands to abroad and 74 children were abducted to the Netherlands?
People often think that it is the father who abducts the child, but in a large number of cases it is the mother who abducts the child? In the year 2018, in 69% of all cases the mother was the one who abducted the child and in 27% of all cases the father.
In 2018 most kidnappings from the Netherlands to Germany took place? Followed by Poland, Belgium, Turkey and Spain.
Most kidnappings to the Netherlands come from Belgium, the United Kingdom and France?
Are young children under the age of five often victims of international child abduction?
The percentage of children abducted by relatives other than their parents is increasing? In 2016 it was 1%, in 2017 it was 3% and in 2018 it was 4%.
Of all cases in which parents enter into mediation in connection with an international child abduction, 42,9% has full agreement been reached and no court ruling is required?
What to do in case of (threatened) child abduction?
In the event of an international child abduction, it is important to contact a (specialized) lawyer as soon as possible. The starting point in the law is that the child is found as soon as possible and returned to the country where the child had its habitual residence before the abduction. International cooperation is of great importance in this. Our office has an extensive network of lawyers and referrers both at home and abroad. Do you have questions about a (threatened) international child abduction? Contact contact with mr. Magali van Maanen or mr. Mindy Mosk from our office. They will be happy to advise you.
Source: Annual report 2018 Centrum IKO
