[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              S. 994--THE FAMILY ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, family abductions are the most common form 
of abduction, yet receive far too little attention. Every year, over 
200,000 children are abducted by a family member and most frequently, 
by a parent.
  We all assume that because the child is with a parent, they are safe, 
but we have seen entirely too often this is far from the truth.
  More than half of the parents who abduct their children have a 
history of alcohol or substance abuse, a criminal record, or a history 
of violence.
  So not surprisingly, children who are abducted by family members 
suffer emotional, psychological, and often physical abuse at the hand 
of their abductors.
  We cannot let this continue. It's time we provide law enforcement 
with the resources they need to treat these child abductions as the 
serious crimes that they are.
  Please join me today in support of this important legislation that 
will assist States in preventing and responding to family abductions.