Blog

In July 2025, we hosted a virtual lunchtime coffee morning for frontline domestic abuse practitioners across the UK to raise awareness of a little-known but critically important issue: how the Hague Convention on Child Abduction can impact migrant survivors of domestic abuse.

Feedback was really positive:

Many thanks for this – GlobalARRK are clearly very knowledgeable in this area. This introduction was very clear and at exactly the right level for me.’

‘I really enjoyed how concise the session was and the polls were very engaging’

Led by GlobalARRK CEO Roz Osborne and Services Manager Amy, the session explored how this international treaty—originally designed to prevent child abduction—can have serious, unintended consequences for mothers trying to flee abuse and return to their home countries with their children.

Many attendees recognised the common scenario: a mother experiencing domestic abuse wants to return “home” with her child, but the other parent refuses permission. What many don’t realise is that if she leaves the UK without consent or a court order, she may be accused of international child abduction—even if she’s the child’s main carer and the child wasn’t born in the UK.

The Hague Convention applies once a child is considered “habitually resident” in a country—which can be after months of living there. Once that happens, taking the child out of the country without the other parent’s permission may trigger legal proceedings, and the court will usually order the child’s return.

Importantly, domestic abuse is not accepted under the Convention as a valid reason to leave with a child, and return orders can lead to outcomes such as homelessness, visa issues, and even prison for the mother. Many mothers lose contact with their children permanently.

We also discussed the legal route to relocate, known as a Leave to Remove or Relocation application. These are often expensive, uncertain, and emotionally draining, with only about 30% resulting in permission to move.

Despite the challenges, there is hope and help available. At GlobalARRK, we offer:

• Free support calls for parents in this situation
• Specialist information and guidance on Hague and relocation cases
• Links to pro bono legal support and monthly legal clinics
• Domestic abuse recovery courses and peer support groups
• Bespoke workshops and training for professionals

If you support parents in similar situations, please get in touch. You can refer parents to us directly by asking them to email: info@globalarrk.org.
We also offer bespoke training for organisations working with migrant families and domestic abuse survivors.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the coffee morning and for the incredible work you do every day. Let’s keep learning together to better protect and support migrant survivors.