Landmark Child Abduction Prevention Law On Horizon In Florida.

Lawmakers sitting on child advocate Representative Snyder’s ‘Criminal and Civil Policy Committee’ voted unanimously for the advancement of Representative Darryl Rouson and Senator Sobel’s sponsored ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill. The ‘Criminal and Civil Policy Committee’ was the last of six legislative committees that Carolyn Ann Vlk’s authored legislation needed to pass through. The bill, if now approved on both the Senate and on the House floors and then signed by Governor Crist will establish risk factors associated with potential parental child abduction and further provide courts with remedies to prevent a criminal abduction from occurring.

Today was a great day for the present and future children of Florida. With approximately 400,000 criminal parental child abductions occurring each year in this country, including nearly 11,000 international parental child abductions, the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill will give courts the ability to act before the crime against innocent, defenseless children occurs.

Carolyn Ann Vlk said immediately after Representative Snyder’s committee’s ruling, “ With all of my heart, I want to thank Representative Darryl Rouson for his incredible and tireless efforts to protect the children of the state of Florida. Representative Rouson has acted with compassion while demonstrating incredible and necessary leadership the children of our state and their parents so desperately need.

“When I first set out to author the legislation that would become the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’, I have to admit it was no easy task. At the time that I sent out detailed packages of information regarding the growing severity of parental child abduction in our nation, including the fact that Florida had a very limited child abduction prevention law in place to dozens of lawmakers that I solicited, it was only Representative Darryl Rouson out of this group that immediately recognized the importance and need to have the state pass stronger child abduction prevention laws. At the time, I did not know just how dedicated of an advocate Representative Rouson is - a true legislative leader and complete defender of our children. I have such deep respect and admiration for him. When Representative Rouson and his legislative aide, Henry Moseley, invited me into their offices and began discussing child abduction, I realized I was sitting with two tenacious, intelligent men who really cared about our children. It was then that I realized Florida had a legitimate chance to pass preventive laws against child abduction.

“It has not been an easy road traveled on, but Representative Rouson and Henry Moseley worked long and hard at this bill. They have both been incredible. And I must acknowledge how Senator Eleanor Sobel soon realized the importance of this bill, and quickly sponsored it in the Senate. Between Representative Rouson and his dynamo legislative aid Henry Moseley, and, Senator Eleanor Sobel and her astute legislative assistant Nick Matthews, we had a strong nucleus.

“And when I reached out for much needed assistance, an incredible group of activist organized very quickly and worked tirelessly at educating the lawmakers here in our state’s capitol. It was remarkable that these caring individuals showed up - with Peter Thomas Senese and his family flying in from Los Angeles, and Ken Connelly flying in from Texas, and Captain William Lake coming down from the Pan Handle – all in the name of protecting our children. It was due to all of these combined efforts, and the fact that our lawmakers in this state really do now understand what is at risk, that today I am more optimistic than ever that the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ will soon become law.”

Next up for HB787 and the identical SB1862 is for each bill to be read two more times in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. After the third reading in each legislative branch, the bill is then brought for a floor vote. With three committees in each branch voting unanimously for the bill’s passage thus far, it is expected that the bill will quickly pass Florida’s legislative body and brought before Governor Crist for signing.

Peter Thomas Senese, the author of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ added after the vote, “Today we have seen how our nation’s perception of the cruel criminal act of parental child abduction is quickly changing from a non-event to the extraordinarily dangerous, abusive, and hideous crime against our children and their targeted parents that this act really is. With Florida’s Senate and House combining for six unanimous approval votes to pass the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill, surely our nation and the world has taken notice.

“Unfortunately, our nation, and the world for this matter, has a growing epidemic called parental child abduction on its hands. According to various reports, international parental child abduction is increasing at a rate of nearly 40% per year. This is a giant leap in the number of international abductions – abductions that all too often do not have a positive outcome. So, in Florida, and due to a giant effort by Carolyn Ann Vlk, the lawmakers have acted swiftly. I applaud Representative Rouson and his legislative aid, the incredible Henry Moseley for taking the legislative lead on this important bill. And words of thanks and deep gratitude must be directed toward Senator Eleanor Sobel and her legislative aid Nick Matthews. But more than anyone, I want to thank my friend Carolyn Ann Vlk to have the courage and dedication to write the bill and work as hard as she has in order to protect our children. But we’re not done, the bills must pass both the senate’s and the house’s floor vote, then Governor Christ must sign this into law.”

Captain William Lake, the Floridian father of a young girl criminally kidnapped by the child’s mother and illegally detained in Japan said, “I am pleased to see that international parental child abduction is now beginning to be understood by policymakers the way it must. But my true hope, particularly in this state, is that the judges and our courts realize just how critical it is for them to act carefully and not blindly in the name of our children. They must actually enforce the laws they are responsible to enforce. So many abductions can be prevented if the courts act with caution and pay attention to warning signs and risk factors.”

For more information on Florida’s ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill, please visit www.floridachildabductionpreventionact.info. For more information on Peter Thomas Senese, International Parental Child Abduction, and ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, please visit www.chasingthecyclone.com.

peter Thomas Senese Gives Away Educational Film On Parental Child Abduction In Order To Increase Awareness.

‘Chasing Parents’ Filmmaker Peter Thomas Senese Demonstrates Commitment To Raising Awareness On Child Abduction: Offers DVD of Groundbreaking Film On Parental Child Abduction To Governments and Advocacy Groups Worldwide.

Peter Thomas Senese, the producer of the groundbreaking documentary film created to educate society on the grave dangers of international parental child abduction titled ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’ announced today that Pacifica TWST will make available to all government agencies, embassies, courts, and children’s advocacy groups worldwide complimentary copies of the upcoming DVD release of the enlightening and first-of-its kind educational film that provides substantial insight into the global epidemic of international parental child abduction.

Peter Thomas Senese is committed to raising awareness on the ever-increasing number of criminal parental child abductions that occur each year in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, it is believed there are over 10,000 international abductions that occur each year. This number may be significantly higher. It has been cited by various U.S. government reports that roughly 380,000 parental child abductions occur in the country each year, and that this number is increasing substantially each year. Tragically, many abducted children are never returned, and too many are lost forever.

A microcosm of this cruel and unacceptable situation includes that over the past four decades, and perhaps longer, it is believed that no child ever abducted from the United States to Japan has ever been returned home. This unbelievable fact is even that much harder to comprehend when considering Japan’s role as a strategic partner and ally of the United States. Formal protests led by Chasing Parents who have children criminally detained by Japan are expected in Washington, D.C. this week in conjunction with the arrival of Japan’s Prime Minister and the Cherry Blossom Parade. Japan’s policy to remain a safe harbor for their own nationals who commit child abduction while living abroad, or who enter their country with an illegally detained and criminally abducted child is at the forefront of concern for individuals who advocate the rights of a child, and Japan’s intolerable and inexcusable conduct as a kidnapping safe-harbor.

Peter Thomas pointed out, “My friend and Florida resident Captain William Lake is a loving father who has had his daughter criminally abducted to Japan by his former spouse – a country the child and the child’s other parent have no attachment to whatsoever. For nearly six years, Japan has refused to honor a court order issued by the United States – the court of habitual residency of the child - that has ordered for the child to be returned back to the United States. Captain Lake’s victimized child is one of at least 88 United States children, 38 Canadian children, and 37 European children kidnapped to Japan. Their Chasing Parents continue to attempt to deal with the child abduction black hole that is now known as Japan. It’s incredible, but Japan is not the only country that harbors child abductors. Countries from Asia and the Middle East including China and Saudi Arabia are just as bad as Japan, perhaps worse because of the pedophilia trade in these countries. But most of our citizens do not know this because it’s just so outrageous and incomprehensible. But outrageous and incomprehensible is the world of international parental child abduction. And this is why legislators need to pass abduction prevention laws immediately.”

Peter Thomas is a former Chasing Parent who has experienced what it is like to face the dire storms of having a child criminally abducted and detained across multiple international borders. The noteworthy author of the critically acclaimed upcoming release of the hardcover book publication of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ (publication date of June 1st, 2010) successfully reunited with his child after traveling on a long, costly, and complex journey that took him to the other side of the world.

“There is never a day that I do not realize just how lucky and fortunate my family is to have been reunited. However, I also know personally of the common pain and unbearable suffering felt by those parents who still search for their children. I know just how extraordinarily difficult it is for the vast majority of parents to safely rescue and recover their children because the systems that have been created to protect their child’s safety have not worked efficiently, and, the gaping hole in preventive child abduction law has in fact been the catalyst for the increasing number of crimes our innocent children face. So in my own way, I am trying to do something about it.

“I am pleased to announce that Pacifica TWST will make available ‘Chasing Parents’ to all institutions that serve abducted children and their targeted parents. In producing this film, my friend, and the author of the extremely insightful book on child abduction from the eyes of a child titled ‘Throwing Stones’, Mr. Ken Connelly, and I had several goals in mind that would serve the global community that has an interest in child abduction. The first goal was to provide insight and education on domestic and international parental child abduction in hopes to create dialog that would affect policymakers and courts charged with the responsibility to protect children. We also wanted to create an accessible blueprint or guide for those parents who might face abduction to turn to prior to, during, and post-abduction reunification. And finally, we hoped to provide insight on how to deal with your child after a successful recovery.

“Unfortunately, and to the best of my knowledge, there never has been comprehensive, informative, and instantly accessible material created that was supported by film and made instantly available for parents who desperately need assistance prior to, during, or after their child’s abduction. ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’ does just that, and the film’s content is fully supported online at the official website of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, which is scheduled for worldwide publication on June 1st, 2010.

“Hopefully, the dedicated effort we put forth will not only help parents prevent an abduction or assist in the recovery of a child criminally abducted, but I hope that lawmakers will continue to turn to the film in order to expand their understanding of parental child abduction so that they may demonstrate leadership in creating much needed child abduction prevention law. I know first-hand that the state of Florida’s lawmakers in now in session in Tallahassee have watched the film as my friend Carolyn Vlk’s skillfully crafted and critically needed ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill has moved swiftly through Florida’s legislative branch of government. So, in this sense, the film is meeting one of its primary objectives and that is to educate lawmakers responsible for creating policy to protect our children.”

The eye-opening film consists of seven segments: Part I – Introduction, Part II – Warning Signs, Part III – Abduction In Progress, Part IV – Parental Alienation and Child Abduction, Part V – Post Abduction Reunification, Part VI – Reform and Change.

The now finished production is for Peter Thomas Senese the completion of a four-part educational campaign he promised to create once his journey of chasing the cyclones of international parental child abduction ended. The main components of this campaign include the creation of a highly informative website on international parental child abduction: (www.chasingthecyclone.com). In addition, Peter Thomas’ ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, the critically acclaimed upcoming novel inspired by the author’s own experiences has been praised by reviewers as a story that will provide readers with insight on international abduction commencing from the well-planned criminal act to the inconceivable odyssey of an attempted child recovery. In addition, the groundbreaking documentary film ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’, offers insight into all aspects of parental child abduction. And it was Peter Thomas’ intent to participate in efforts to lobby and educate lawmakers so to create and implement child abduction prevention laws.

Segments of ‘CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Child Abduction’ are presently available for preview at ‘Chasing The Cyclone’s’ official website, www.chasingthecyclone.com. The producer points out that the documentary was made possible in part due to other Chasing Parents, children of abduction, and leading experts working in the area of International Parental Child Abduction’s eagerness to share their stories and perspectives.

'Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction' Is A Call To Arms Against Growing Worldwide Epidemic

For Peter Thomas Senese, the near four-year journey leading up to his upcoming international release of the documentary film titled 'CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction' has been one filled with a full array of great challenges and extraordinary accomplishments.

The film has two main goals. The first is to provide a blueprint for other Chasing Parents on what to do and how to act if their own child is internationally abducted. The second, and a more formidable goal,is to educate society on the grave issues surrounding international parental child abduction while providing insight on necessary legal reform that could help prevent the criminal international abduction of children.

The acclaimed author, who writes under the names Peter Senese or Peter Thomas, unexpectedly raced into the brutal and at times deadly storms, other Chasing Parents encounter in the wake of the international abduction of their defenseless child. For Peter Thomas Senese, the most difficult challenge he faced was coping with the concern over his child's safety while navigating the long and complex road he would have to endure in order to protect his young son. The triumphs, and there have been many, include first and foremost, what every Chasing Parent desires most: the safe recovery and return of their child.

'CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction' is one of the very first documentary films that extensively addresses the full scope of the massive, but seldom spoken crisis stolen children and their Chasing Parents left behind in the aftermath of the criminal abduction of their child must face. The film has two main goals. The first is to provide a blueprint for other Chasing Parents on what to do and how to act if their own child is internationally abducted. The second, and a more formidable goal,is to educate society on the grave issues surrounding international parental child abduction while providing insight on necessary legal reform that could help prevent the criminal international abduction of children.

Unfortunately, and tragically, there exists a growing worldwide epidemic that destroys the lives of most who cross its path, including innocent children, and its name is International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA). Each year, tens of thousands of children are abducted by one parent from another and taken across international borders without the knowledge and permission of the other parent. Many of these children never come home. Many disappear. Some are lost forever.

In the United States, it is believed that there are over 11,000 internationally criminally abducted children who have not been brought home. This number is believed to be significantly higher because it does not include a large number of cases not filed with the United States Central Authority due to either technicalities (previously including military personnel who were unable to file while living abroad, and presently including dual parent green-card holders, political asylum cases, etc.), or the prevalent feeling of hopelessness felt by many parents based upon the extremely high recovery cost, a complex legal maze, and belief that there exists nationalistic prejudices in foreign countries. This equates to the belief that it is nearly impossible to recover their abducted child.

The highly educational and eye-opening film consists of seven main segments: Part I - Introduction, Part II - Warning Signs, Part III - Abduction in Progress, Part IV - Parental Alienation and Child Abduction, Part V - Post Abduction Reunification, Part VI - Reform and Change, and Part VII - Laws and Credits.

The now completed production and upcoming release of this invaluable documentary is, for Peter Thomas Senese, the completion of a three-part educational project he promised to create once his journey of chasing the cyclones of international parental child abduction ended. They include the creation of a highly education website (www.chasingthecyclone.com), publication of a insightful book (titled 'Chasing The Cyclone'), and the now completed documentary. It is the Writer -Producer's hope and aspiration to increase local and global dialog concerning prevention, education, and accountability of all legal systems, institutions, and governments responsible to uphold laws pertaining to the welfare and safety of children.

The children's advocate, writing under his first and middle name, Peter Thomas, will release 'Chasing The Cyclone' in the late spring, 2010. Reviewers and critics are praising 'Chasing The Cyclone' as an extraordinary, masterfully written story of a father's love for his son, and heralding Peter Thomas Senese as a writer of great distinction. 'Chasing The Cyclone', written in the form of a novel, was inspired by the author's experiences as a Chasing Parent.

"Chasing The Cyclone will shake the audience, this exciting cautionary thriller grips readers from the onset ..." Amazon # 1 Reviewer, Harriet Klausner

"Peter Thomas now opens the windows on the magnitude of these tragedies in his excellent Chasing The Cyclone ... As if the fast paced energy of this story weren't enough to satisfy the reader, Peter Thomas demonstrates his quality as a writer of distinction on many levels ..." this impossible to put down book ... Amazon # 3 Reviewer, Dr. Grady Harp

"Chasing The Cyclone isn't just a powerful novel, it's a call to arms against a growing epidemic that is tearing lives apart ... a superb, can't put down novel, though; it is a book with a purpose ... Peter Thomas has become an outspoken advocate on this issue ... I would go so far as to encourage every loving parent to read this book, as the bond between this father and son is one to be emulated ..." Amazon # 14 Reviewer, Daniel Jolley

"Chasing The Cyclone is a must read. You will not be able to put it down. It may very well change the way you look at life, child custody ... I cannot endorse this book enough ..." The Examiner

"[In Chasing The Cyclone] Peter Thomas masterfully reveals the disturbing world of an abducted child ... Peter has taken the tragedy of his child's abduction and the remarkable efforts he implemented in order to reunite with his child, and worked not only to share it in a manner that seeks to educate the reader, but has embraced his experience to provide relief for other families caught in this global epidemic ..." Maureen Dabbagh: Parent International

Peter Thomas Senese fully supports The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Parental Child Abduction. However, as he points out in both Chasing The Cyclone and in CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction, the grave failures in the areas of research and education, combined with an inept global approach toward prevention, has taxed the international judicial system created via The Hague Convention. Extending the difficulties many Chasing Parents face is the fact that many nation-signatories of The Hague Convention fail to enforce the rules of the international treaty they signed. Additionally, many nations, including those in the Middle East and Asia have not signed the international treaty, which creates near-impossible hurdles for Chasing Parents seeking the lawful return of their abducted child from non-signatory nations. Accountability is critical, yet there appears to be limited accountability throughout the system. This is something Senese heavily weighs in on.

Segments of CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction are presently available for preview at Chasing The Cyclone's official website, www.chasingthecyclone.com.

Peter Thomas Senese points out that CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction was made possible due to other Chasing Parents, children of abduction, and leading government and private sector experts working in the area of IPCA's eagerness to contribute to this desperately needed film. Peter Thomas Senese also would like to express a special thanks to Mr. Ken Connelly, children's advocate, speaker, and author of 'Throwing Stones' for the substantial contributions he made toward the production and information conveyed in this film.

The filmmaker strongly points out that making this film would have been impossible if not for the assistance he received from key individuals at the U.S. Department of State - Office Of Children's Issues, Canada's Ministry of Attorney General, and New Zealand's Ministry of Justice when he was Chasing The Cyclone.

Pacifica and Peter Thomas Senese intend to offer complimentary DVD's of this film to all requesting government agencies and institutions, courts, educators, and organizations that provide outreach to child-victims and their families upon its release later this Spring. It is Peter Thomas Senese's hope that the film will be used as a resource tool that will increase awareness and educate others in order to bring about reform and change in the name of the best interest of children everywhere.

To preview CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction please visit www.chasingthecyclone.com or www.petersenese.com.