Supporting Families Following International Child Abduction – Online Survey
Professors Marilyn Freeman (University of Westminster, UK) and Nicola Taylor (University of Otago, NZ) are carrying out a research project on international child abduction.
The research investigates what happens after children have been removed to, or retained in, a country in a way which is considered wrongful in law. This is an issue which has not been properly investigated so far.
The research pursues multiple aims. First, to understand the impact of these removals and retentions on the children and family members affected. Second, to determine the support, if any, that was given to the children and family members in question, and to assess how to provide better services for children and their families internationally. Third, to investigate whether any further legal proceedings occurred following the return decision, and whether the abduction played a role in those proceedings.
Two online surveys are available for completion (in English).
The first survey is for parents and family members of children who have experienced their child’s removal to, and/or retention in, another country in a way which was considered wrongful in law
The second survey is for persons over 18 years of age who were previously abducted as children.
Those willing to complete the surveys may do so until 28 February 2026.
Information is being collected anonymously.
A research report on the findings will be published on the website of the University of Westminster around July 2026.
Detailed information on ethics and privacy guidelines are provided in the first page of each questionnaire. The research has been approved by the Liberal Arts and Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of Westminster, London.
Readers of this blog are encouraged to fill-in the surveys, if appropriate, or to publicise the research and share the survey links as widely as possible.
— Thanks to Costanza Honorati for drawing this initiative to the attention of the editors of the blog.