Child abduction
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other law enforcement agencies class abductions in several ways, including parental abduction and stranger abduction. In 2004 parental abduction represented 91 per cent of child abduction cases.
Parental abduction
In Canada, the majority of children abducted by a parent are between three and seven years of age. Mothers and fathers are equally likely to abduct, although mothers tend to abduct after there's been a custody order while fathers tend to abduct before a custody order. Children are most likely to be abducted from the custodial parent's home; most of these abductions are short-term and are resolved within seven days. According to the RCMP's Missing Children's Registry, most parental abductions occur at the end of summer and Christmas vacations.
At one time, it was assumed that, if a child was with a parent, even one who abducted him, the child was safe. But such thinking has changed. With very rare exceptions, a parent abducts a child out of revenge. Seldom are the needs of the child taken into consideration. The abducting parent teaches the children to lie and to hide. They can't let them make friends or lead a normal life. They may not take them to a doctor or dentist for fear of being tracked down. This kind of parental behaviour is abusive but, in addition, the parent may abuse the child physically, verbally, and sexually.
The policy of the RCMP's Missing Children's Registry is: "A child (who has been abducted) is never safe and (must) always (be) considered to be in a dangerous situation." If you believe that your child is in danger of being abducted by her other parent, seek legal help. While you're at it, take simple and unobtrusive precautions on your own.
• Record the licence plate number, model and make, and details of the other parent's car.
• Note what credit cards he or she carries.
• Keep track of addresses and telephone numbers of your ex-spouse's relatives and friends. Half of parental abductors rely on help from family, friends, or new spouses.
• Take snapshots of your ex-spouse with your child.
You may never need this file, but it helps you gain a sense of control. If the abduction does happen, you have a file to hand over to the police.
