Our vision is of a world where few families go through international custody crisis but when it does happen they have all the support they need. Today, children and parents are suffering. We believe their suffering can and should be prevented.

• 90% of expat parents are unaware they will not be able to return home with their children legally unless the other parent or a local court gives permission

• Relationship breakdowns abroad are resulting in high conflict custody disputes over which country the child should live in

• In 99% of cases it’s the primary carer mother who is ‘stuck’ abroad and who wants or needs to go back to her home country

• 75% of ‘international child abductions’ under The Hague Convention involve a primary carer mother returning to her home country with her children

• After an ‘abduction’ the long-term consequences can be devastating for children: a high proportion will end up being separated from their primary carer

What is a Stuck Parent?

A stuck parent is a parent who is unable to lawfully return to live in the country they consider ‘home’ with their children after an international residence / custody dispute.

Stuck parents often struggle with issues such as loneliness, unemployment, language barriers, visa restrictions, lack of legal status.

We believe in a world where few families go through international custody crises but when it does happen the family have all the support they need.

We support parents

• Provide support via messaging or email

• Signpost to local resources & organisations

• Signpost to legal support

• Provide factsheets and information

We raise awareness of the issues

• Publish information

• Help the media to inform the public

• Highlight issues for decision makers

• Give informative talks and presentations

Promote research & Collect Statistics

• Collect our own statistics through the survey for stuck parents.

• Support other research by linking researchers up with case studies.

Visit our website to learn more.