The UK government has announced it will review how domestic abuse is addressed in international child abduction cases, aiming to improve legal protections and support for mothers escaping abuse abroad. This review, led by the Ministry of Justice’s private international family law team, will examine cases from the high court in London between 2024 and 2025 under the 1980 Hague Convention. This international treaty aims to help countries work together to return children who have been wrongfully taken across borders. Each year, around 500 such cases are filed in England and Wales, with 10% to 20% of children ending up separated from their primary caregiver due to a court-ordered return. Claire, a mother who fled domestic abuse in the US and brought her two children back to the UK, shared her experience of being summoned under the Hague Convention shortly after returning home. She spent all her savings to hire a barrister, and her children were allowed to stay in the UK. However, she said that evidence of domestic abuse was disregarded, and she only won her case after her barrister convinced the judge to let her oldest child, who was just a few weeks short of the age when courts typically consider a child’s opinion (14 years), to give testimony. Advocates hope this review will challenge the assumption that all child abduction is harmful and that children must be immediately returned to overseas courts to decide their futures. Ruth Dineen of the Filia Hague Mothers campaign noted that while the 1980 Hague Convention was designed to protect children from the harmful effects of wrongful removal, the situation has changed significantly since its introduction. Roz Osborne of the charity Globalarrk highlighted that victims of domestic abuse often lack equal legal support due to inequalities in legal aid, which can lead to delays or no legal representation at all. She added that children are not currently recognized as victims in their own right under UK domestic abuse laws. Dr. Adrienne Barnett of Right to Equality pointed out a lack of basic data on these cases, including the percentage of returning parents who are mothers, how many children are returned without their parent, and what protective measures are in place. Lisa Smart, a Liberal Democrat MP, called the analysis overdue, stating that a parent who flees to the UK to protect themselves and their children from violence should not be treated as a wrongdoer. A Home Office spokesperson said there is no set timeline for the research but emphasized its goal is to provide solid evidence to guide future government policy on the effective operation of the convention in England and Wales. Alison Shalaby of Reunite stressed the importance of returning abducted children to their parents immediately, noting that the Hague Convention provides a clear, unbiased court process and opportunities for parents in cases of domestic abuse where legal aid is available.