reunite Research Unit

The reunite Research Unit, headed by Dr. Marilyn Freeman, undertakes research into issues of concern to those who use reunite´s services and also areas of research which will make a useful contribution to the debate surrounding the manner in which abduction matters are dealt with.  

We have carried out research projects both into what happens once a child has been returned following an abduction, and the effects of abduction on all those who have been through an abduction experience. We are aware of the importance of these matters for the children themselves, and the need for their voices to be heard about these issues, and are very pleased, therefore, to have been able to include them within our research structure.   

In recent years we have also undertaken research to consider the use of mediation in cases of international parental child abduction and we completed a 2-year research project to establish an information resource on child abduction and custody laws in the Muslim world.  

Currently we have two research projects ongoing.  The first is to evaluate the effectiveness of the operation of the UK-Pakistan Judicial Protocol on Children Matters and our findings will be launched later this year.   We are also researching the issue of leave to permanently remove children from the jurisdiction, another area of intense concern to those who consult reunite.

We greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions and, as always, your invaluable support for our work.