The Missing and Exploited Children’s Program (MECP) invites you to view March’s presentation on the post-abduction recovery process. MECP partnered with Take Root’s Executive Director Melissa “Liss” Haviv, former victim of family abduction and contributing author of OJJDP’s publication “The Crime of Family Abduction: A Child’s and Parent’s Perspective”.

Family abduction is the most prevalent form of child abduction in the United States. It is a crime that has lasting consequences for the abducted child, the custodial parent, and the abducting family member. Protecting the well-being of the child and their family during the recovery and reunification process is especially important in ensuring that any trauma resulting from the experience is minimized and long-term healing is maximized.

This presentation focuses on the recovery event (the act of removing the child from the abduction situation) as well as the short, intermediate, and long term impacts of abduction. Child-centered strategies for minimizing trauma for each phase of recovery are also discussed.

We also encourage you to download and read a list of publications authored by children who have been abducted, like Liss, their families and the professionals who help them. The guides are also available in Spanish.

**Please Note: This is a prerecorded presentation available for view and download.

View Recording