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Open Stop criminalisation of parents who take children abroad due to domestic abuse

Created by Rosalind Osborne
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75% of 'child abductions' involve mothers. Most are taking their child back to their country of origin and have experienced Domestic Abuse (DA).

Making the retention of a child a criminal act in the Crime and Policing Bill will have unintended consequences including the criminalisation of mothers who are victims of DA.

1. Commission a new impact assessment which includes lived experiences and data on the gendered nature of this issue and how it may affect victims of domestic abuse

2. Remove the proposed Child Abduction clause (Part 7, Clause 104) in the Crime and Policing Bill which extends criminalisation to parents who retain their child abroad.

3. Amend the existing Child Abduction Act 1984 to include clear protections for victims of domestic abuse and intolerable situations such as destitution.

4. Align the Bill with the UK’s domestic abuse strategy and international obligations to protect victims and children

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    This petition will stay open until 19 June 2026.