About
The IROCS was incorporated under the British Columbia Society Act on July 27, 2005. It was formed in response to a specific incidence of child abduction described below and has a mandate to provide information to assist families and protect children from the abuse of parental child abduction. On November 27, 2004,a ten-year-old boy and [...]
Our Mission
The Mandate of IROCS, the International Rights of Children Society, is to provide information to assist families and protect children from parental abduction. Approximately 90 percent of children abducted from their homes in Canada by a parent are taken to the home country of the abducting parent. The concept of a child’s right to both [...]
The Issue
IROCS hopes to raise awareness of the issues surrounding parental child abduction so that fewer children are taken from the lives they know and love; so that more parents are aware, more governments and more police and border services are aware, and so that more people who think that abducting their children overseas might be [...]
Activities
Diet Study Seesion: IROCS sent director Murray Wood to present at a March 14 study session on “Changes Required to Japan’s Civil Code to protect the human rights of children and parents.” The session was held at the House of Councilors, The National Diet of Japan, Tokyo. learn more
The Current (CBC Radio): On December 7, 2011, Murray Wood participated in a discussion of the impact of parental abduction. THe program was broadcast nationally and can be heard at The Current
Mr. Wood Goes to Washington: On November 7, 2011, Murray Wood made a presentation about the devastating effects of international parental abduction as a part of an invitational screening of the IROCS sponsored film From The Shadows. The Screening was hosted by Congressman Chris Smith and was attended by members of the State Department as well as dozens of people concerned about the issue of international parental abduction. learn more
Forum: On November 3, 2008, IROCS hosted a forum on international parental child abduction in Vancouver. Copies of the entire forum are available on DVD as a public service. Contact IROCS at info@irocs.org to request a copy. learn more
Our Services
Case Studies
Wood: In November 2004, two Canadian children, aged ten and seven, were abducted to Japan from their home in Vancouver. They have had no contact with their family in Canada since their abduction. The children’s non-custodial mother, Ayako Wood, was able to get the children out of Canada by deceiving their father and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Full case » Engdahl: In June 2006, after Melissa Engdahl had formally separated from her husband Joseph Hawach, Mr. Hawach took...
Protect Your Children
The following recommendations are based on personal experience and advice given to members of IROCS. We are not lawyers. If you are worried that your child is in danger of being abducted overseas it is essential that you seek legal advice immediately. If your children leave Canada, neither Canadian law nor international agreements can guarantee their return. However, refusing to allow your children to travel outside of Canada could deny them important opportunities to build relationships...