For those who are parents who are not able to see their children through abduction/alienation, my heart goes out to you and empathise with the hurt that you will undoubtedly be feeling.
Also so much thought for those who are suffering the bereavement of their children through illness or accident. It must be such a very traumatic time and must hurt so much in particular on these key dates.
Please stay strong and try to enjoy the season as much as possible with the people around you that are important in your life.
If you have your children / grandchildren with you this year, treasure every single moment with them. They will never be this age again.. You are very blessed..xx
Thank you to everybody that have stayed the distance, inspired me and helped me to stay focused and positive when I have needed it most. Also to the crazy loons I call friends who keep me smiling...
I really can't put into words how much I appreciate all that have given so much love and support. I'm blessed to have some amazing friends and family.
Thank you so much for your continued support in 2016. Our efforts and
your kindness has now raised an amazing £6,222 in total for Reunite International Child Abduction Centre through One Day Closer.
A special thank you to Costa Blanca Tranquillity Lodge, as well as the The Fire Station
bar, Shani and Andy Ormiston, all the football teams competing in the
Reunite International Shield including the singers who entertained in
the evening events, those who supported my skydive and also a huge thank
you to Michelle Clark who has been my rock during all of this. One more day closer... https://www.justgiving.com/teams/reunite-spain
At the beginning of the month, it was announced that the government has decided to opt in to the
recast of the EU legislation known as the Brussels IIa regulation. The
regulation outlines procedures to be used in cross-border family issues
within the EU, such as the recognition of existing court orders and the
abduction of children between EU states, and is currently being used by
UK courts.
Reunite took part in the government’s consultation on
the recast of Brussels IIa, and whether the UK should opt in to further
discussions. They stated that the government shares their view that it
is important for the UK to be part of the recast, even with Brexit on
the horizon.
Reunite feel the impact of the proposed changes on families
within the EU, including the families or British nationals living in
other EU states, could be significant.
Reunite made a submission to the Justice Committee’s consultation on ‘the implications of Brexit for the justice system’ shortly following the announcement.
The EU’s Brussels IIa regulation is currently integrated into UK national law. Brussels IIa allows for orders in relation to parental
responsibility to be recognised from one EU Member State to another, and
adds extra obligations on Member States for the benefit of children in
inter-EU 1980 Hague abduction cases.
As a
result, leaving the EU and potentially losing this key piece of
legislation is going to have an impact on UK law and international
family cases, and this needs to be taken into consideration by Parliament
whatever happens next.
Reunite hopes that their submission will be beneficial to the consultation and
ultimately help to inform Parliament to make the best decisions for
families and abducted children.
On the 17th November, Reunite organised a parents get together in London. This was a great opportunity to have a chat and share experiences with
other parents and a few members of the reunite team over a drink and
some nibbles.
They organise these meetings every second month. If you would like to attend one of the future meetings, send an email to Mitta at reunite@dircon.co.uk who will send you further details.
Sadly, several new cases were reported during the month of November involving UK, Spain, Poland and Jamaica. Reunite aim provide ongoing advice and support to the parents who speak with them and work with them towards what will hopefully be a positive outcome
for their children.
If you are affected by Parental Child Abduction and need advice, please call the Reunite International Child Abduction Centre advice line - 0044 (0)116 2556 234.
Later in the month, Reunite hosted a seminar with the British Embassy in Seoul on the 1980 Hague
Convention, with the aim of informing local lawyers about child
abduction and how the 1980 Hague Convention works.
There were a number of speakers, who included the Hague Permanent Bureau,
Judge Kim and Professor Suk from Korea, the Korean Central Authority,
Justice Bennett from Australia, John Mellor of CAFCASS, Anne-Marie
Hutchinson and our Reunite's Alison Shalaby.
Reunite hope that this seminar has helped to increase knowledge and
confidence amongst professionals, in an effort to secure the best
possible outcomes for the children in 1980 Hague cases.
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Also, late in November, Reunite's Sam Chapman attended the Embassy Consular Conference, talking about the work of reunite with
FCO's Consular Director, Julia Longbottom, and London's consular
community.
Here in Spain, we would like to offer our huge appreciation to the Costa Blanca Tranquillity Lodge for their continued support for the Reunite International Child Abduction Centre Charity. Through their efforts, they have raised approximately £1,500 that will be used towards updating the centre offices.
We would also like to give our best wishes and support to Shani Ormiston, who has supported the charity for a number of years through events and cd sales.
Her latest release "You Gotta Let It Go" can be seen on YouTube
As an update to the previous post, Shani has now produced a video for this song on YouTube and we would like to congratulate her and all involved for such an amazing job. It is brilliant!!
Watch Shani's video below.
Could I ask all to play and share her video as much as possible and give her the support she deserves?
Reunite will be holding an informal parent get-together this week
if you'd like to join them.
This is a great opportunity to have a chat and
share experiences with other parents and a few members of the reunite
team over a drink and some nibbles.
They will be meeting on the
evening of the 17th November in London, so if you'd like to join them
please send an email to Mitta at reunite@dircon.co.uk who will send you
further details.
The EU’s Brussels IIa regulation is currently
integrated into UK law. Brussels IIa allows for orders in
relation to parental responsibility to be recognised from one EU Member
State to another, and adds extra obligations on Member States for the
benefit of children in inter-EU 1980 Hague abduction cases.
As
a result, leaving the EU and potentially losing this key piece of
legislation is going to have an impact on UK law and international
family cases, and this needs to be taken into consideration by Parliament
whatever happens next.
Reunite hopes their submission will be beneficial to the consultation and
ultimately helps to inform Parliament to make the best decisions for
families and abducted children.
Reunite's CEO, Alison, was invited to attend the 2nd EuroAmerican Congress of
Family Law which was recently held in Uruguay. She met with Judges,
legal professionals, academics and organisations from a number of Latin
American countries, including Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
There was an opportunity to discuss challenges faced in cases of
parental child abduction and how reunite can work closer with key
stakeholders across Latin America to benefit families and children.
Also in October, Reunite exhibited at the Resolution Dispute Resolution Conference in Nottingham.
It was a great opportunity to speak with lawyers and other mediators
about how beneficial mediation can be in international cases involving
children, and to highlight the work of their advice line.
Earlier in October reunite attended a conference in Moscow examining the use
and enforcement of the 1980 and 1996 Hague Conventions in Russia.
The event was attended by experts from Russia and the UK, and examined
how child abduction cases are treated in both countries. Reunite's Development
and External Communications Liaison Officer Vicky spoke about the work
of reunite including their advice line, mediation and policy work.
The conference was a great opportunity to learn about different aspects
of the 1980 Hague system in Russia, and hopefully the information and
experience shared will be of use to parents in the future.
Following the success of this year's Reunite International Shield Football Tournament, Olaf Fett of the De Bassus - La Zenia team, who were runners-up, is calling for teams to start a soccer 8's senior league in support of Reunite International Child Abduction Centre.
If you are interested in playing for a team, or you have a team already established that would like to play in this friendly league, please contact Olaf at the de Bassus Bar and Restaurant at La Zenia (628 75 53 50 / 615 53 11 89 ) or email One Day Closer - onedaycloser.reunite@gmail.com
On 28th November, 2016, there will be a mini course programme held by LEPCA (Lawyers in Europe on Parental Child Abduction) at Istituto A.C. Jemolo, Vaile Guilio Cesare N.31, Rome, Italy on the subject of Parental Child Abduction
During a discussion with a parent today, I was informed of the tragic news that the parent's mother (the child's grandmother) had been driven to the point of absolute despair and took her own life citing her reasons in a note.
I found this message heartbreaking and also totally frustrating because the courts, the authorities, the media and many people who have not been affected do not seem to take any priority of the possible impact on the parent, the family and most importantly, the child.
This poor child has now lost a loving grandparent permanently when it could so easily have been avoided. How will this impact the child when they are old enough to understand what has happened? How do you think this will impact the rest of the family?
For me personally, this is also a very upsetting subject as my mother, who was an amazing lady, mother and grandmother and absolutely adored her grandchild, never had the opportunity to be reunited before she sadly passed away last November.
I saw first hand how distraught she was. It hurt her so much to no longer see her grandchild and also for her to see how much it was hurting HER child!! Me!
I wish parents would stop being so selfish in behaving in this abusive manner. I wish they would stop playing God with their children's lives.
I also wish that the authorities, the courts, the media and the public would see parental child abduction and alienation as the emotional abuse that it is and do what they can to deter this.....
You may have already seen from their Facebook page but Reunite's email
is down at the moment due to them changing service provider. If they are
needed, call the adviceline.. 01162 555 234 or 01162 555 345
Sadly, these tactics are used over and over again without deterrent or accountability for doing so...
"Dear Alienating / abducting "parents"
You have proven your point that you can take "ownership" of our child
by abducting and manipulating the system to achieve your goal in
destroying the parental and family bond of the child and family that
loves the child wholeheartedly.
You have proven that you can make false allegations, lie and deceive
the courts and authorities in any way that you want to without any
deterrent or accountability for doing so.
You have proven that
you can portray a good parent to be an absolute monster and also coach
your child in an attempt to have them believe your lies.
You
have proven that you can use the system over and over again as long as
the child's other parent and family do everything they can to be part of
your child's life.
You have shown that you are prepared to emotionally harm your child and your child's family who love each other unconditionally
Does this make you proud? Does it give you a feeling of accomplishment
to not only abuse your child's family but also your child him/her self?
Do you realise that this can affect your child, that you claim to love
for the rest of their childhood lives and even into adulthood? Possibly
even for the rest of their lives? Is this setting a good example for
them being parents when they are older?
Do you realise also
that when those children do start looking for answers, that the
alienation that you are inflicting right now could cause your child to
resent you.. And want to alienate you completely from their adult lives?
It is not too late to change your ways. Stop your abuse now.. Please.. For the sake of your child/children.
Anon (bound by gagging orders to "protect" the child from the truth)
Contact onedaycloser.reunite@gmail.com or phone Michelle on 0034 651 574 682 to order your copy. All proceeds from the Calendars sold by us will be given to the Reunite International Child Abduction Centre charity via our JustGiving page
The theme for the 11th edition (2017) is "La Bella Lola who represents the women of the town; so this is dedicated to the women of Torrevieja who are involved in every aspect of our lives as citizens"
The presentation was well attended by various charities and media from the area which gave the opportunity to discuss each charity and make new contacts in the tranquil setting of the Aroca Sequier - abogados garden (sponsor) in the Rocajuna urbanisation.
3 worthy charities were selected by Currencies Direct and were each presented with a cheque for the total of €3,200
Thank you to everybody for you continued support. It is very much appreciated. x
A year ago today, I completed a 44 day walk (approx 1750km) between Orihuela, Spain and London.
My objectives were to:
Raise awareness of the issues surrounding parental child abduction and the impact on families and children
Raise awareness of parental alienation abuse and the impact on families and children
Raise awareness of the failures in family court and with
authorities that sometimes appear to facilitate abduction, alienation
and false allegations which can be used as a heinous alienation tactic.
Help the Reunite International UK charity who NEED the additional
resources to effectively support families who are involved in
international children's cases.. Over 17,000 calls were managed by their
advice line in 2014. For such a small charity, this is an enormous task.
To show what affected parents are prepared to do to show their love for their children
We had such wonderful support from so many people on this journey from which we are so grateful. In particular, Michelle on the left of this photo who helped me advertise, walked a number of stages with me, drove the support car, wrote many posts on social media, hung the laundry wherever she could find a space (often at the side of the road) and kept me and people walking with me fed.. I really cannot thank her and others enough.
We also met some amazing people en route that provided an experience
that we will never forget...
There were also some very testing moments
too but we took those in our stride (excuse the pun)
I think we achieved most of what we wanted to achieve on the journey. In particular, raising awareness for which the number of hits on my Walk Across Borders blog was amazing.
I was also pleased
that my mother was able to see us complete this before she sadly passed
away in November...
She was so proud and fully supported the reasons why
we decided to do this.. Tragically, she never had the opportunity to
reunite with her granddaughter who she loved wholeheartedly until her
last breath... It still does not seem real that she is no longer with
us.. She was my rock... For such a small lady, she had so much courage
and strength.. She is missed so much :(..xxx
Hopefully, we can continue to do as much as we can to try to make a
difference... a positive difference... and just maybe enough awareness
will be raised to prompt some change...
Doing nothing achieves nothing...
Nobody can do everything; but everybody can do something...
