International child abductions from Netherlands drop 14.5% in 2024, but threats rise
The number of international child abductions from the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year in 2024, falling to 148 reported cases, according to the annual report released Thursday by the Centrum Internationale Kinderontvoering (Center for International Child Abduction, or Centrum IKO). This marks a 14.5 percent decrease compared to 2023, which saw 173 cases.
Centrum IKO director Coşkun Çörüz emphasized that the numbers still represent serious harm to affected families. “In 2024, 200 children became victims of international child abduction; but still, every child abduction is one too many,” Çörüz said. “The impact on a child is significant and often long-lasting. These figures underline the importance of continued efforts for assistance, prevention, and awareness.”
Among the 2024 cases, 74 percent of abductions were committed by mothers, while 26 percent involved fathers. Most children abducted from the Netherlands were young: 55 percent were between 0 and 5 years old, and another 34 percent were aged 6 to 12. The pattern was similar in abduction cases into the Netherlands — 34 percent involved children under 5, and 36 percent involved children aged 6 to 12.
The most common destinations for children abducted from the Netherlands in 2024 were Poland, Germany, and the United States. Conversely, most abductions into the Netherlands originated from Poland, Belgium, and Spain. Threats of potential abduction were most frequently reported in connection with Turkey, Morocco, and the United States.
Despite fewer abductions, demand for assistance soared. Centrum IKO recorded 24,270 contacts in 2024 with parents, relatives, professionals, and other involved parties — a 91 percent surge compared to 2023’s total of 12,733 contact moments. Much of this increase stemmed from a sharp rise in preventive counseling sessions.
A total of 341 parents and 168 others — including family members, professionals, and concerned third parties — received targeted advice on preventing child abductions. This marks a 30 percent increase from the year before. Centrum IKO said these proactive efforts may be helping to curb actual abduction numbers despite rising global mobility.
Cross-border mediation also played a growing role in resolving disputes before they escalated into abductions. In 2024, Centrum IKO’s Mediation Bureau organized 26 cross-border mediation sessions.
The organization underscored the importance of mediation as a constructive alternative to legal proceedings. “Preventive mediation helps avoid escalation and legal confrontation,” the report noted, “allowing parents to resolve disputes while keeping the child’s best interests at the center and retaining control over the process themselves.”
In 2024, Centrum IKO also observed a 57 percent increase in questions related to international relocations. The most commonly mentioned destinations were Spain, Belgium, and Curaçao. These types of moves can trigger legal complexities, especially when both parents do not agree on relocation and child custody, making timely advice crucial.
To combat the risk of abductions and support professionals, Centrum IKO continued its outreach efforts in 2024. The organization delivered lectures and training sessions to police forces, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the SSR judicial training institute, child protection agencies, and attorneys. It also collaborated with European partners in the justice and welfare sectors.
Centrum IKO further intensified its public awareness work, particularly within communities where abductions have been more prevalent. In 2024, the organization launched a campaign aimed at the Turkish and Polish communities in the Netherlands. The campaign included a video highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of child abduction. The campaign’s launch was attended by the Consuls General of Turkey and Poland.
“Our focus remains on ensuring that every child is protected from the trauma of abduction,” Çörüz said. “Prevention, support, and awareness are the pillars we must continue to strengthen.”
