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Children at Risk of Harm
Child abuse is recognised as a serious problem throughout the world and efforts to safeguard children from abuse or exploitation have led to the development of child protection laws and policies by the authorities in most countries. When vulnerable children or abusive adults across national boundaries it is vital that information is exchanged quickly between authorities. Both international and national law now requires co-operation across borders, although the means for achieving this are not always clearly identified.
The Role of CFAB
CFAB has contacts with the child protection authorities in most countries, and can act quickly to pass information to alert the authorities as a precautionary measure, or to initiate investigations, or to activate protection and restriction measures.
CFAB contributes to attempts to reduce the risk of abuse to children around the world by adults who use border crossings as a means to evade the authorities.
Spain
Manuel aged 7 and Laura ages 5 lived with their mother Susan in Spain. Susan was separated from the children's father because of his repeated violence towards her and aggressive behaviour towards the children. Susan was eventually forced to seek protection from the Spanish Courts which was granted.
Despite this the abuse continued. For her and the children's safety she decided to move back to the UK. CFAB was contacted for advice and assistance. In liaison with our Branch in Spain the agreement of the Spanish Courts for the relocation to the UK was secured. CFAB provided further support to Susan as she dealt with housing and education authorities in the UK.
Susan and her children are now happily settled in the UK and the children are making friends in their new school. With CFAB assistance in securing the agreement of the UK Courts, a ruling was issued banning the father approaching Susan and the children.
Ghana
CFAB was approached by a school about Marcus, a 14 year old boy who had been studying in the UK for some time but suddenly and surprisingly was de-registered by his mother. When the school tried to establish why this had happened, they received information from social services that there was an assessment in progress, as Marcus had reported to a neighbour about being unhappy at home, despite being a popular and happy student at school. It was also reported that in the past few days, the mother had informed social services that Marcus had gone to live with her sister in Ghana.
The school was concerned and asked CFAB for assistance. Through our partner agency in Ghana we were able to facilitate a welfare visit to Marcus and his maternal aunt in Ghana. Marcus was found to be being appropriately cared for and was happy to continue his education in Ghana.
Useful Links
National Missing Persons Helpline