ABOUT
Scottish CHILD ABDUCTION REFORM (SCAR) WAS FOUNDED IN 2022 BY A SMALL GROUP of parents who have experienced the harmful effects of parental child abduction (pca). we are driven by a vision of a safer and fairer future for Scottish children who are victim to the abuse of pca. Children’s rights are central to our work in challenging the current outdated and ineffective Scottish child abduction legislation.
since the creation of a legal loophole in the Child Abduction Act 1984, Scottish authorities have been unable to prioritise and promote the right’s of children who are wrongfully removed from their homes. SCAR aims to ensure their voices, and the voices of the left-behind parents are heard.
What we do
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LESS IS KNOWN ABOUT THE OUTDATED PCA legislation in Scotland and understanding the differences between Scottish and uk law can be tricky.
tHE RECOGNITION of PCA AS A FORM OF CHILD ABUSE IS SLOWLY INCREASING. hOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A CONCERNING LACK OF CONSIDERATION for THE IMPACT FELT BY CHILDREN UNLAWFULLY REMOVED BY THEIR PARENT ABDUCTORS. SCAR AIMS TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE, INFOrmATION AND RESEARCH TO HELP HIGHLIGHT THE VERY REAL ISSUES AT THE CENTRE OF PCA.
we offer guidance to highlight this disparity and bring to light the inequality that currently exists for Scottish children.
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The protection and promotion of a child’s right to a safe and caring family life is the heart of our campaign work.
we are here to provide a voice for both children and parents affected by pca to help shape policy and legislation at a national level. scar aims to bring an end to the legal loophole that fails to recognise pca as a criminal offence in Scotland. we believe that Scottish legislation should be brought up to the standard of the rest of the uk and we are committed to working towards achieving this equality.
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connected communities are stronger communities.
Scotland’s lack of effective and supportive abduction legislation can leave children and parents isolated and alone. we want to build meaningful connections between those who suffer as a result of pca and develop a network of shared experiences to help inspire positive changes.
scar is limited in its front line response to the trauma, emotional abuse and also the legal complexities that result from PCA. we do however signpost other charitable organisations and support services that are able to offer more immediate and experienced advice and assistance.
