Domestic abuse victims who flee with children overseas to be criminalised under new law

Change to crime and policing bill backed by fathers' rights groups seeking support in cross-border abduction cases

Mothers fleeing domestic violence who keep their children overseas without permission would be criminalised for the first time under a new law.

The change is introduced in a proposed amendment to the crime and policing bill, backed by fathers' rights groups and the Reunite International charity. The amendment has not been debated in parliament, and is now before the House of Lords.