Child Abduction

Abstract

Child abduction (the stealing of a child) is an everyday concern around the world. It involves the taking, retention, or concealment of a child by a parent, family member, or stranger. A number of motivating factors can be the premise for child abduction, with parental separation or divorce and child custody/visitation rights usually playing a prominent role in taking a child away from the other parent. Child abduction by strangers involve ominous criminal intentions. Both types of child abductions can cause extensive emotional trauma to both the children and the left‐behind parent. This entry examines the extent and characteristics of the problem.