www.missingpersons.gov.au | Freecall 1800 000 634 Parental abduction refers to when one parent takes, detains or conceals a child from the other parent NATIONAL MISSING PERSONS COORDINATION CENTRE FACT SHEET What is parental abduction? Parental abduction is a term which refers to when one parent takes, detains, or conceals a child from the other parent. Parental abduction may happen in circumstances where the parents have separated. It is not uncommon for other family members to assist the abducting parent in removing or concealing the child. What do I do if my child has been taken? If your child has been taken by another parent or family member you should consult a legal practitioner for advice. Family law and missing children Family law matters are sensitive and emotional for all involved. Every situation is different and matters are treated on a case–by–case basis. If you would like more information about family law procedures and forms, please visit the family law courts website. In some cases, children who are the subject of custody orders by the Family Court of Australia or the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are taken by a single parent in contravention to the custody ruling. In these circumstances the children may become subject to a recovery order to return the children to the parent or guardian who holds legal custody. Recovery orders A recovery order is an order of the Court that can require a child be returned to a: parent of the child person who has a parenting order that states the child lives with, spends time with or communicates with that person, or person who has parental responsibility for the child. A recovery order can authorise or direct a person or persons, such as police officers, to take appropriate action to find, recover and deliver a child to one of the people listed above. e Family Law Kit on the Australian Federal Police (AFP) website further explains the role of police in family law matters. Publication orders e names and identities of people involved in family law proceedings are restricted under Section 121 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). e Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia sometimes issue publication orders that lift these restrictions when a child is missing. is is to assist in locating a child who has been involved in family law proceedings and has been taken from their parent (usually by the other parent). Publication orders are issued under s.121 of the Act. e orders can be made on the request of a parent who is seeking public assistance to find their child. What happens when a child is taken overseas? If a child is parentally abducted out of Australia, recovery of the child becomes subject to international laws surrounding child abduction. Visit the Attorney General’s website to view more information on international family law and children. International cases e issue of parentally abducted children is not unique to Australia. e AFP is a member of the Global Missing Children’s Network (GMCN). e GMCN was launched in 1998 by the International Centre of Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). e AFP in partnership with ICMEC each year supports International Missing Children’s Day. For more information on missing children internationally, please visit the Help Bring em Home website. Parental abduction and missing children NMPCCFS_PARENTALABDUCTION_2015