International child abduction
Cases of international child abduction occur regularly across Australia and the rest of the world. In Australia an estimated 2–3 children are taken illegally by a parent out of and into Australia each week.
When a child is abducted across international borders, it creates great emotional trauma and confusion for all parties involved and it is difficult to make any decisions under these circumstances.
The Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department considers international child abduction to be an important and serious matter. The Department has created this webpage to provide guidance and assistance when a child is abducted across international borders. The webpage provides assistance for the parent that is left-behind seeking the return of their abducted child and also gives information to the parent who has abducted their own child.
Also visit the International Social Service (ISS) webpage for related support services.
All information, including personal information, collected by the Australian Central Authority for the Hague Convention on Civil aspects of International Child Abduction 1980 (ACA), which is a Section of the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department, is protected by the Privacy Act 1988. The collection of the information is authorised by the Family Law Act 1975. This information will help the ACA give effect to the various principles and objects set out in the Family Law Act and international treaties to which Australia is a party. It may be passed on only to third parties authorised to receive it. They include State and Overseas appointed Central Authorities for the Convention, and a range of State and Territory agencies -see http://www.ag.gov.au.