International Parental Child Abduction Service
International Social Services
(Australian Branch)

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SMART SOLUTIONS. PERSONAL  ATTENTION.

 

 

International Social Service offers a telephone referral and support service for families affected by international parental child abduction.

 

The following information is sourced from the International Social Services (ISS) website.

 

Further information about ISS and the International Parental Child Abduction Service contact:

 

Website www.iss.org.au

 

National Office ph: +613 9614 8755, Toll Free: 1300 657 843

 

NSW Office (NSW residents only) ph: +61 2 9267 0300

 

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

 

Abduction to a Hague Convention country

 

There is a specific process to be undertaken through the Attorney Generals Department to seek the return of the child. This department is the principal authority, known as the Central Authority and is responsible for administering applications both in and out of Australia which involve the removal of a child without parental consent. Each state and territory has their own Central Authority (usually located within the relevant child welfare department) which will process the application directly with the client.

 

Abduction to a non-Hague Convention country

 

These cases are more challenging as the Australian Government does not have specific agreements regarding abduction to these countries, and therefore may not be able to enforce the return of a child. Different approaches may be required, such as engaging a local lawyer or making referrals to the ISS network.

 

The ISS network can assist in advising on the approach which has the highest likelihood of success in a particular country. The Department of Foreign Affairs operates a 24 hour Consular Service 1300 555 135 which can advise on local lawyers. The Australian embassies network may also be a useful avenue for finding out information about the wellbeing of an abducted child.

 

International Parental Child Abduction Service (IPCA Service)

 

1. Information, Advice and Referral

 

The IPCA telephone advisory and support service is available to people directly affected by or concerned about the potential risk of IPCAÂ and to professionals and agencies seeking assistance. It is also able to provide general information to the public.

 

National Office ph: +613 9614 8755, Toll Free:Â 1300 657 843

 

NSW Office (NSW residents only) ph: +61 2 9267 0300

 

Staff of the IPCA Service offer non-judgmental and confidential support and advice. We acknowledge that while cases will have common issues, no two cases are the same and callers will have different queries and needs in relation to their case.

 

The IPCA Service works from the key premise of focusing on best outcomes for the child/children involved. It takes a holistic view, providing information and support relating to the issues surrounding:

 

• The prevention of international parental child abduction;
• The experience of international parental child abduction; and
• The reunification of children and parents after international parental child abduction.

 

The IPCA Service aims to provide support and information to parents who have had a child abducted to or from Australia or who fear abduction. The IPCA Service offers non-judgmental assistance and is also open to inquiries from abducting parents or those who may be contemplating abduction.

 

If you are considering taking your child without the other parents consent, these are some things to think about:

 

• The possibility that the other parent may take legal action;
• The emotional impact on your child and on you;
• The best interests of your child.

 

One of the reasons a parent might want to leave Australia with their child is domestic violence. If you find yourself in this situation, there is significant support for you and the children to remain safe, or to assist you to leave the relationship and remain in Australia.

 

Please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for details of domestic violence services in your state or territory.

 

The IPCA Service offers advice on the course of action a person can take, including legal remedies, court actions and liaison with the Central Authorities. ISS Australia is part of a broader international network and using our network we can sometimes facilitate contact between children and left behind parents, conduct welfare checks, and assist parents who have taken a child overseas to communicate with the other parent.

 

The Social Worker can offer:

 

• Emotional support in dealing with feelings and reactions;
• Practical support and information regarding who to contact for further advice and assistance;
• An approach using the principles of mediation to attempt to improve communication between parents and to facilitate relationships between parents and children;
• Referrals to assist with specific issues;
• Coordinated point for services involved in abduction matters; and
• Provide information on lawyers who have experience in working on international parental child abduction matters.

 

2. Community Education and Training

 

The Service provides training and community education to agencies and community groups who wish to know more about IPCA. An IPCA Service worker is available to speak at meetings and community events. Specific training can also be provided.

 

3. Advocacy and Research

 

ISS uses IPCA Service statistical data from casework to input into research regarding the needs and concerns of families experiencing IPCA.

 

This Convention is an international treaty which aims to assist with the prompt return of children who have been wrongfully removed from, or retained outside their country of habitual residence. The Convention only applies between countries that are parties to the Convention. These are known as Convention Countries and currently approximately eighty countries have signed the Convention.

 

If your child has been taken without your consent, visit the Attorney Generals Department website at http://www.iss.org.au/www.ag.gov.au/childabduction for more information about what you can do.

 

Mathews Family Law, a boutique family law firm, is located at Level 2, 599 Malvern Road, Toorak, Victoria, Australia.

 

Lawyers at Mathews Family Law are accredited family law specialists, accredited family dispute practitioners and mediators.

 

They are particularly qualified and experienced to provide you with ethical, accurate, timely and cost effective advice on all issues arising from the breakdown of marital and de facto relationships and further relationship issues.

 

Mathews Family Law offers legal advice on:

 

• Separation and divorce
• Children and post-separation parenting arrangements (residence/custody, access/contact)
• Post separation relocation (intrastate, interstate and overseas)
  
• Child support, child maintenance, child support enforcement, international child support, working with the Child Support Agency, change of administrative assessment of child support applications
• Adult child maintenance
• Spousal maintenance
• Property settlements
• Financial Agreement and Pre-nuptial Agreements
• Asset protection and injunctions
• Family Violence - intervention / restraining orders
• Negotiation and conciliation
• Family dispute resolution (FDR /section 60I certificates)
• Mediation
• Court appearances (Family Court, Federal Magistrates Court, Magistrates Court, County Court, Supreme Court, Social Security Appeals Tribunal)

 

Please contact:

 

• Vanessa Mathews - Accredited Family Law Specialist, Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, vanessam@mflaw.com.au
• Kuppy Nambiar - Accredited Family Law Specialist, kuppyn@mflaw.com.au
  
to discuss your family, de facto or relationship law question or telephone 03 9804 7991 or email enquiries@mflaw.com.au

 

Mathews Family Law has clients living and/or working in Toorak, South Yarra, Armadale, Hawksburn, Richmond, Melbourne, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Albert Park, St Kilda, Elwood, Malvern, Glen Iris, Caulfield, Elsternwick, Ripponlea, Bentleigh, Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham, Carnegie, Hawthorn, Kew, Camberwell, Balwyn, Surrey Hills, Canterbury, Box Hill, Mitcham, Nunawading, Ivanhoe, Clifton Hill, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy, Carlton, Parkville, Brunswick, Northcote, Greensborough, Ringwood, Croydon, Oakleigh, Beaumaris, Williamstown, Newport, Yarraville, Footscray, Flemington, Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Coburg, Rosanna, Doncaster, Melbourne CBD, City of Melbourne, Elwood, East Melbourne, Altona, Sunshine, Watsonia, Templestowe, Burwood, Mont Albert, Blackburn, Mitcham, Ashburton, Burwood, Springvale, Gardenvale, Ripponlea, Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Black Rock, Sandringham, Mordialloc, Chelsea, Frankston, McKinnon, Ormond, Middle Park, Geelong.