In a tough situation, migrant moms fleeing domestic violence face international child abduction charges. Courageous stories address the challenges of abuse and a complex legal fight.
January 31, 2024. Ana Dutra Tagliati for Migrant Women Press
Every year, about 2,000 of migrant mothers end up running away with their children to their home country. However, it is not long before they are served to attend a hearing for a court case of international child abduction filed by the father.
These specific cases need to be solved within six weeks, as per international law, and they decide whether the children should return (or not) to the country they were taken from. It is uncertain how judges rule when situations involve domestic violence against the mother, which makes it even more difficult for the development of the case.
It sounds like an unthinkable story, but it’s the reality of many mothers worldwide.
Susie* was living in Spain when she met Mark*, both from the UK, and everything seemed like a fairytale until the aggression started.
After a long time of psychological and physical abuse, Susie found out she was pregnant, and everything suddenly improved; Mark was thrilled to have the baby. However, the happiness that seemed a promising start to a new family turned into a nightmare that led Susie to flee with Grace* back to her home country, the UK, and never return to Spain.
As the relief of being away and protected from the abuser at her parent’s house was just starting to settle, Susie received a letter communicating she had been served for the abduction of her daughter against Mark’s permission.
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*The names have been changed to preserve the identity of those involved.