I CARE Foundation Speaks At United Nations

The United Nations

On Friday, September 14th, 2012 I had the great privilege on behalf of the I CARE Foundation to extensively speak at and participate in the U.S. Department of State's sponsored 'International Visitor Leadership Program' held at the United States Mission to the United Nations in conjunction with the United Nations to discuss the work and research the not-for-profit I CARE  Foundation has been conducting in the area of international parental child abduction prevention (IPCA).



U.S. Department of State

Unquestionably, the initiative by the U.S. Department of State to connect global government leaders with non-government organizations such as the I CARE Foundation to discuss the challenges and potential solutions of IPCA demonstrates a pro-active, solution oriented approach to combating child abduction and trafficking by private and public sector leaders.    

As the Founding Director of the I CARE Foundation, it is with deep pride to continue to see the I CARE Foundation recognized by our global leaders as a preeminent organization actively at the battle-front against the pandemic of international child abduction.  On a personal note, my participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program was deeply satisfying.  You see, six years ago, when I first found myself Chasing The Cyclone of international child abduction, I had made a promise to make a difference so other families would not have to race into the nightmare of abduction.  

Peter Thomas Senese

I am equally committed to that promise today as I was when I first made it six years ago. Along the way, we have created more than a few miracles. 



The I CARE Foundation



The I CARE Foundation's ongoing ground-breaking, critical research in the area of international parental child abduction has shed light onto many areas and issues associated with international child kidnapping.  Our legislative and policy modification initiatives have had a sizable positive impact on preventing abduciton.  Our dedication to assisting children of abduction has led to the rescue and reunification of many internationally abducted children while also successfully preventing the abduction of many other children.  And our public outreach to educate society, particularly potential targeted parents, has led to the prevention of numerous child kidnappings. Our commitment to build a national and global attorney network of highly qualified lawyers dedicated to assisting at-risk children of kidnapping continues to be highly received by the legal community, and perhaps most of all, our ability to make a difference for others continues to expand and reflect our deep commitment to helping others. 

International Visitor Leadership Program

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program.  Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders.  These visits reflect the International Visitors’ professional interests and 

support the foreign policy goals of the United States. 

International visitors are selected and nominated annually by American Foreign Service Officers at U.S. Embassies around the world. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds and administers the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

  

During our specific conference, discussion took place that evolved around the simple question 'How can we as a global society help stop the pandemic of international parental child abduction?' 

A few things stood out immediately.  This included:

1. Unquestionable realization that IPCA is a severe form of child abuse; and,

2. The vast majority of abductions are well schemed plans against a targeted parent; and,

3. Targeted children and parents of abduction face severe hardship; ,and, 

4. Abducting parents utilize the existing legal system to draw out court proceedings; and, 

5. The longer a court proceeding takes, the more difficult it is for a child to be returned; and, 

6. Litigation must focus on narrow focus of jurisdiction established by the Hague Convention; and,

7. IPCA is growing worldwide at an alarming rate; and,

8. IPCA causes severe emotional and financial devastation to all connected to it; and,

9. The economic cost of IPCA on the global market over the next decade will be many tens of billions of dollars.

10. New research and studies similiar to the I CARE Foundation's work must continue, and, utilizing the research findings to initiative new laws and government policies are critical to protecting children.

Chris Morris, Eugene Pothy & Peter Thomas Senese

As our conference unfolded, it was with awe that I listened to my friends Christopher Morris and Bryan Mooney, both parents who had children internationally abducted under the rules of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, discuss the severe challenges they have each faced respectively over the past two and three years trying to reunite with their children. 

As I listened to each of these dedicated, loving parents discuss portions of their cases (which I am very familiar with), I could not help but wonder if their children will ever really know how much their fathers love them.  It is my hope that these children of abduction do, because the love Chris and Bryan have for their children has led them to do whatever possible to reunite with their children. 

                                               Dedicated Parent Bryan Mooney and His Children

Both Chris and Bryan's stories of well-schemed child abduction by their childrens' other parent re-enforced the notion that it was necessary for judges to expedite international child abduction cases, and settle the issue of which country has the right of jurisdiction of a child.  

Chris and Bryan's point was made very clear when it was shared that collectively, they have spent over U.S. $300,000.00 between the two of them thus far trying to bring their abducted children home, and their protracted litigation is far from over. 

Critically, Chris and Bryan's conveyance that the spirit of the Hague Convention to be expedited was made to all. 

Eugene Pothy Reuniting With His Son After 9 Years

I was also very happy to hear my dear friend Eugene Pothy, who miraculously was reunited with his abducted child taken to the Ivory Coast and illegally detained for nearly 9 years, speak about the mental and spiritual hardship of abduction of children. Eugene's points of view reinforced Chris and Bryan's point of view that IPCA litigation must be expedited by the courts.

Fortunately, our conference was the right forum to share our view. And the message was heard.

Another very important issue that was discussed revolved around abduction prevention.  Specifically, it became clear that certain countries, for example, Turkey, have the ability of preventing abductions from occurring (736 total IPCA cases under the Hague over the past 10 years) by citizens who possess a right of Turkish citizenship because Turkish judges have the ability of preventing a high-risk child abducting parent from departing the country by all means of departure.  

In contrast, the United States only has the ability to stop a high-risk child abductor from departing the country if that individual is not a U.S. citizen. Thus, individuals who possess duel citizenship in the U.S. and who are determined to be high-risk parental child abductors have limited security screen to prevent them from illegally removing their child from the country.

As some of you may know, members of the I CARE Foundation's board of directors, including Carolyn Vlk and myself worked very hard to have the Department of State disseminate the Department of Homeland Securities' 'Prevent Departure Program' as a tool to be used to help prevent abduction. However, the problem with the Prevent Departure Program is that it only applies to non-U.S. citizens. Thus, the I CARE Foundation's efforts to modify the Prevent Departure Program to include a secure screening list for high-risk child abductors possessing a right of U.S. citizenship appear to be critical to protecting children.

Another I CARE Foundation measure that was discussed and warmly embraced was our initiatives to require all individuals entering into or departing the United States, regardless if they travel by land, sea, or air, to present a current and valid passport.

Overall, the day was very meaningful as a great deal of information was exchanged that inevitably will help protect defenseless children.  It was indeed a great privilege to have been asked by the United States Department of State to participate in such a highly esteemed program to a humbling experience to know that the I CARE Foundation's work is respected around the world.

There is no question that it was yet another day of progress to protect children from abduction.

As for the International Visitor Leadership Program, the IVLP has a luminary list of esteemed participants include:

Afghanistan: President Hamid Karzai (1987)
 Austria: President Heinz Fischer (1964)
 Belgium: Prime Minister Yves Leterme (2002)
 Bhutan: Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigme Yoser Thinley (1987)
 Brazil: President Dilma Rousseff (1992)
 Croatia: President Ivo Josipović (2002)
 Croatia: Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic (1996)
 Czech Republic: Prime Minister Petr Nečas (1994 and 1999)
 Denmark: Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (1989)
 Dominica: President Nicholas Joseph Orville Liverpool (1985)
 Finland: President Sauli Niinistö (1992)
 Finland: Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen (2003)
 France: Prime Minister François Fillon (1984)
 France: President Nicolas Sarkozy (1985)
 Georgia: President Mikheil Saakashvili (1997 and 1999)
 Germany: President Joachim Gauck (1993)
 Grenada: Prime Minister Tillman Thomas (1986)
 Guinea: President Alpha Condé (1962)
 India: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil (1968)
 Ireland: Prime Minister Enda Kenny (1989)
 Kenya: President Mwai Kibaki (1961 and 1999)
 Lithuania: President Dalia Grybauskaitė (1994)
 Macedonia: Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (2000)
 Malawi: President Joyce Banda (1989)
 Malta: Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi (1990)
 Mauritius: President Anerood Jugnauth (1981)
 Mauritius: Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam (1986)
 Mexico: President Felipe De Jesús Calderón Hinojosa (1992)
 Moldova: President Nicolae Timofti (2005)
 Montenegro: Prime Minister Igor Lukšić (1999)
 Mozambique: President Armando Emílio Guebuza (1987)
 Namibia: Prime Minister Nahas Gideon Angula (1996)
 Norway: Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (1988)
 Poland: President Bronisław Komorowski (2006)
 Poland: Prime Minister Donald Franciszek Tusk (1993)
 Portugal: President Aníbal Cavaco Silva (1978)
 Slovakia: Prime Minister Robert Fico (1990)
 Slovenia: Prime Minister Borut Pahor (1991)
 Sri Lanka: President Mahinda Rajapakse (1989)
 St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Denzil Llewellyn Douglas (1990)
 St. Lucia: Prime Minister Stephenson King (1985)
 Sweden: Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (2002)
 Taiwan: President Ma Ying-Jeou (1971 and 2003)
 Togo: President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé (2001)
 Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (1998)
 Trinidad and Tobago: President George Maxwell Richards (1986)
 Turkey: President Abdullah Gül (1995)
 Zimbabwe: Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (1989)
 Macedonia: President Gjorge Ivanov (1999)

In leaving the United States Mission to the United Nations, I left reaffirming once again my commitment to helping defenseless children of abduction and their targeted parents.

Plans To Abduct A Gril To Croatia Stopped

Stopping A Little Girl's Abduction To Croatia: How Abductors Will Create Sophisticated Schemes To Abduct Children.  

I recently was forwarded an article written by an uncle of a young child who the I CARE Foundation and I were able to help prevent her international abduction.

I have to admit, juggling my full time career, making quality time for my family (and me), and volunteering the amount of time I do to help other parents and children targeted for abduction could be exhausting at times. 
Particularly the advocacy work.

Despite the mission of the I CARE Foundation to conduct research that will guide new laws and policy, IPCA is very personal. And so at times we do get involved.

How could we . . . how could I not? I know my responsibility. 

The uncle, Ray, was very kind to say that "Peter Thomas Senese is a heroic child advocate." 

I am not sure abot that . . . I am simply a father who is familiar with the path of child abduction, learned the roads traveled upon by abductors, and now use my knowledge to try and help protect children and their parents who are targeted for abduction. 

And every once in a while we get lucky and we either stop an abduction or reunite a parent. We've been fairly successful at this, but clearly not as good as we would like to be. Often our work and effort, most of which is never spoken about (as most of you who we are assisting know the protocol we establish). 

I am very happy knowing a little girl was not abducted to Croatia. A very special thank you to Joel S. Walter for his big assist on protecting this little girl.

There are times when reading articles or letters such as this recharge your battery and keep you going forward. After all, chasing the cyclones of abduction are not easy.

The I CARE Foundation will be moving on a series of legislative initiatives in the near future that if successful will help stop abduction.

However, the singular most important thing to child abdution prevention is education. Parents need to know the warning signs of abdution as shared in Chasing The Cyclone.

Peter Thomas Senese Helping Children

                                                           

 Peter Thomas Senese: Helping Children



Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese

As a board member of the I CARE Foundation, I take great pride in being able to have played a major role in helping a large number of children who were previously internationally abducted reunite with their targeted parent and family as well as helping an even larger number of parents protect their children from being internationally kidnapped.

It is not easy. 

In reality, the deck is stacked against any parent trying to reunite with a child or prevent a child from disappearing overseas. 



Chasing The Cyclone

Helping children from being internationally abducted or reunited with their targeted parent and family has been a goal of mine ever since I was unexpectedly forced to race into the nightmarish storms of international parental child abduction that is the basis of my novel 'Chasing The Cyclone' critics all around the world have been very generous to speak of. In fact, my committment was much more than a goal: it was a promise I made to the God I believe in that one day I would stand to help others who face the same unthinkable storms of abduction my child and I faced.

At that time that my journey into the world of abduction began, I had never even heard of the collective words 'international parental child abduction' or the 'Hague Convention'.

I sure know of them now.

But words and desires alone do no make a difference. Action makes a difference. Committment makes a difference. Standing unbowed in the face of deterents makes a difference. And acting in goodness to help others who cannot help themselves makes a difference.



The I CARE Foundation

Paying close attention to action, committment, determination, and in goodness, more than a few miracles on behalf of children have been created. Many children have been rescued. Many more children will escape the chains of international kidnapping. And many, many more children will be protected and never be taken.

These words of appreciation and insight shared by other parents who I and the not-for-profit I CARE Foundation I am the Founding Director of mean a great deal to me.  They serve as a reminder of what can do and what must be done to protect children (Click here to review sworn testimonial letters about how Peter Thomas Senese has helped children):

 EP, whose child was abducted to the Ivory Coast eight years ago spoke of the miracle Peter Thomas Senese created, “On January 16th, 2012, I received a telephone call from Peter Thomas Senese. He said to me that my son was on an airplane 30,000 feet high over Africa and on his way home to the United States . As for Peter Thomas Senese, what can I say about this incredible man who led the efforts on all fronts to rescue my son? He asked for nothing other than for me to help others one day when my child was home, he provided financial support, emotional support, and all the necessary legal support required. I will be forever grateful to Peter Thomas Senese and the I CARE Foundation for the selfless acts and considerable kindness.”

TD, whose child was abducted to Nigeria added of the miracle Peter Thomas Senese also created, “On March 22^nd, 2012 my toddler son was kidnapped from Colorado to Nigeria. All appeared hopeless. Nigeria is not a member of nay foreign treaty, there was very little the U.S. government could do to help me in Nigeria. Very few children have ever been returned to America from Africa. I eventually contacted Peter Thomas Senese, as he is well-respected in the area of IPCA, who told me, “You need to be patient, but we will get your son home.” His words were simply not words. On June 11^th, 2012 at approximately 10:15 p.m. while standing inside the Denver International Airport, I held my son in my arms! My son was back home, in America, just like Mr. Senese said he would be.  Peter Thomas Senese has given so much to my family. God Bless you Peter for all you have done for me and my family.”

CF stated, “I found myself a young mom alone facing a terrifying life threatening cancer fight while also desperately trying to find and bring home my abducted son. There is no question in my mind that without Peter’s assistance I would have lost my son. From bringing on an overseeing the investigations to attorneys needed to help me, to staying in consistent contact with me every step of the way during a very complex process, Peter’s incredible actions bespeak of his unquestionable kindness, caring, compassion, and what is right about this world. He never asked me for anything, but gave and gave and gave . . . And at 4:35 a.m. on a Friday morning standing next to me at the airport as my son was taken off a flight and [held] into my loving arms, was Peter Thomas Senese. As far as Peter Thomas Senese is concerned, he is an incredible man. He is direct, honest, loyal, compassionate, and made an enormous difference in my and my family’s life. Without him, not only would I not have reunited with my abducted son . . . I prayed to God for help and a miracle. God answered. I am forever thankful to my friend Peter Thomas Senese and all he has done for me and my family.”

AB said, “Chasing The Cyclone and Peter Thomas Senese have assisted me and my family significantly in protecting my daughters from being parentally abducted to Saudi Arabia, where women like myself have no rights. If my children were abducted there, I would never see them again. Today, I sleep a little better due to the incredible efforts of Peter Thomas Senese. Knowing Mr. Senese has helped ensure my children’s safety and has helped protect us from Chasing The Cyclone of international child abduction. Along the way, he has never asked for anything.”

MR. said, “Unequivocally, Peter Thomas Senese is a tremendous person of great honor and integrity, he acts selflessly on behalf of children all across the globe, he is honest, sincere, unbowed, and willing to stand up against those that act against others. My abducted child is coming home, finally after all these years, in no small way because of the great assistance I received from Peter Thomas Senese.”

TP, a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy (reserve) and a mother said, “Mr. Senese has assisted me during legal proceedings I have initiated in order to prevent my at-risk daughter from being abducted to Brazil . . . Chasing The Cyclone as a matter-of-fact guide as to the risk factors that may indicate an abduction and legal steps to take in order to prevent this from happening. Mr. Senese’s work and network continue to protect my daughter and other targeted children.”

Of course, when you are dealing with defending against international parental child abduction, the kidnapper or those working with the abductor are not going to be very happy to know that abduction prevention advocates such as myself and the I CARE Foundation team who possess a strong track record of assisting children are acting to stop their illicit and abusive act.  So, part of the turf in working tirelessly to protect children from being abducted or rescuing kidnapped children is that child abusing abductors will attempt to discredit me and the I CARE Foundation team. There efforts will have no bearing on our highly dedicated foundation: we will continue to act to stop child abduction and whenever possible, legally assist a parent in their heroic effort to reunite with their stolen child or children


                                                          The I CARE Foundation

A great deal of the goals I have set out to achieve have been connected to the I CARE Foundation.

For those of you who are not aware of the I CARE Foundation, we are a not-for-profit organization that  has gradually become a visible stakeholder in the world of international parental child abduction prevention and reunification with a large and growing list of impressive accomplishments. 

The accomplishments of the I CARE Foundation include assisting in numerous LEGAL international child abduction recoveries and reunification, heavily participated in exponentially more successful acts to prevent abduction from occurring, our ongoing groundbreaking research in the area of international child abduction and trafficking has provided new, accurate, and insightful information as to the severity of the global epidemic society as a whole has before it, our comprehensive and expansive reporting of our research findings has led other stakeholders to protect numerous children from abduction while allowing us to significantly advance our legislative initiatives, some of which have either already become law or agency policy, while legislative initiatives are moving forward in a manner we could hope for.  Additionally, we continue to build a national network of pro bono lawyers who participate in the U.S. Department of State's 'Hague Convention Attorney Network', while nearing completion for the first-ever international child abduction case law data base.  

One last thing: as some of you may know, I have donated 100% of all of my publishing earnings to the I CARE Foundation in order to help try to recover children who have been abducted.  So, if you're interested in reading any of my novels such as Chasing The Cyclone, The Den of the Assassin, Cloing Christ, or War on Wall Street, know that your purchase will be directed to making a difference for children.

For more information about the I CARE Foundation please feel free to send an email to mediarelations@stopchildabduction.org.

Peter Thomas Senese & the I CARE Foundation

                                                           

 'I CARE Foundation' Protects Children From Abduction

When I first decided to write 'Chasing The Cyclone' after the ordeal of racing into the storms of international parental child abduction, I thougth that perhaps one day there may exist an opportunity to share the messages contained in 'Chasing The Cyclone' in a way that would have a much deeper impact than the prose of a deeply inspired novel created to educate others about child abduction.

That dream and hope has been fulfilled in many ways by the creation and impact of the I CARE Foundation. And though the foundation has had many successes, it is in our achievements that we are reminded that there is so much work to be done in order to protect children from abduction.

Failure really is not an option. 

                        The I CARE Foundation

The not-for-profit        I CARE Foundation has gradually become a visible stakeholder in the world of international parental child abduction prevention and reunification with a large and growing list of impressive accomplishments.  The Foundation's Board of Directors and Advisory Board are made up of some of the most dedicated volunteer child advocates imaginable. They give of their full resources at levels that are unheard of. Remarkably, the efforts of the I CARE Foundation's Board have not been in vain: there are many children from all around the world who today are either back home after previously being internationally parentally kidnapped, or, they remained at home because the plan to internationally abduct them was prevented, in great part due to the action of the I CARE Foundation.

The accomplishments of the I CARE Foundation include assisting in numerous LEGAL international child abduction recoveries and reunification, heavily participated in exponentially more successful acts to prevent abduction from occurring, our ongoing groundbreaking research in the area of international child abduction and trafficking has provided new, accurate, and insightful information as to the severity of the global epidemic society as a whole has before it, our comprehensive and expansive reporting of our research findings has led other stakeholders to protect numerous children from abduction while allowing us to significantly advance our legislative initiatives, some of which have either already become law or agency policy, while legislative initiatives are moving forward in a manner we could hope for.  Additionally, we continue to build a national network of pro bono lawyers who participate in the U.S. Department of State's 'Hague Convention Attorney Network', while nearing completion for the first-ever international child abduction case law data base.  

                                                                          Legislative Initiatives:

Today, there is a significant chance to help children targeted for abduction.

1. Modify the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative so all individuals traveling abroad must present a valid passport regardless age and type of travel.


2. Create a secure screening list for individuals determined by courts or law enforcement as high-risk child abductors who posses a right to U.S. citizenship similar to the existing Prevent Departure Program that only applies to individuals who do not posses a right of American citizenship.

So if your really interested in assisting, on behalf of the I CARE Foundation, we would welcome your assistance. All you need to do is send an email to mediarelations@stopchildabduction.org.

A Book a Day Reviews Raves About Peter Thomas Senese's 'Chasing The Cyclone' As A Journey into Hell

 I am so grateful and pleased with the spectacular review A Book A Day Reviews shared with its readers about Chasing The Cyclone. The review is highly informative, shows a strong grasp of the issues I tried to raise in Chasing The Cyclone, and hopefully will help others understand that there is a global epidemic of child abduction going on. Any author would love to have a review such as the one provided by A Book A Day Reviews. 

Thank you Gabriella Wheeler for really taking the time to read and share all that is Chasing The Cyclone. 

Please feel free to read this thoughtful review:  A Book a Day Reviews: A Journey into Hell: "Chasing the Cyclone"

Preeminent 'Guilty Pleasures Book Review' Calls Peter Thomas Senese's Chasing The Cyclone "Phenomenal. Remarkable. Extraordinary."

I am so pleased to share the highly respected book review site  Guilty Pleasures Book Review commentary of Chasing The Cyclone.  


Guilty Pleasures Book Review in a preeminent online book review site 'Written By Women For Women'. 


This is what Guilty Pleasures Book Review had to say about Chasing The Cyclone:

"If I had to use one word to describe Chasing the Cyclone by Peter Thomas Senese it would be phenomenal. As in remarkable. Extraordinary. I have read many books over the years, for enjoyment, for education, because I had to, because I wanted to. I cannot think of any other book that comes close to making me feel as I did when I read this book. I believe these feelings will stick with me forever." Click Here to read the entire review.


Step by step the issues of international parental child abduction are increasing at a grass-roots level in our society. It is my hope and anticipation that as education and awareness gain traction, new laws and policies will be created and implemented that will help other children. After all, one child's life is worth fighting for - hundred's of thousands of children whose lives are at risk is worth changing a system over.


Click here to purchase Chasing The Cyclone from Amazon.

The New York Journal Of Books Calls Peter Thomas Senese's Chasing The Cyclone A Well-Written Thriller Readers Will Be Reluctant To Put Down

I am very pleased to share that the prestigious New York Journal of Books gave a terrific book review of Chasing The Cyclone.

From the New York Journal of Books On Peter Thomas Senese:

Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese

Peter Thomas Senese is a bestselling author writing primarily in the historical fiction genre. He is actively engaged in combating crimes involving international child abduction and human trafficking by increasing the social dialogue around these issues, by providing useful and current resources for those affected by abduction and trafficking, and by participating in creating new laws that will protect all children—and their parents. All of the profits from the sale of Chasing the Cyclone will go to the I Care Foundation whose mission is to conduct research in the area of international parental child abduction.

From the New York Journal of Books on Peter Thomas Senese's Chasing The Cyclone:

Chasing The Cyclone by Peter Thomas Senese

Chasing the Cyclone is a well-written thriller. Senese shares myriad emotions as he weaves through the action in this suspense-filled story. This novel might also be considered a treatise on international child abduction. Cyclone, full of actual strategies and resources to assist parents in international abductions, is above all else a love story about a father and son. From Los Angeles to Canada to New Zealand and eventually China, Cyclone is rife with international intrigue and suspense. Filled with a plethora of powerful characters, puzzling predicaments, and dead ends, the story moves quickly . . . you will be reluctant to put it down.

Click Here to read the full book review and forwarding introduction of Peter Thomas Senese and the international legal thriller Chasing The Cyclone.

Click here to purchase Chasing The Cyclone on Amazon.

Click here to purchase Chasing The Cyclone at Barnes & Noble.

International Parental Child Abduction Will Cost American Economy Billions Of Dollars Over Next Decade According To Upcoming Report Issued By The I CARE Foundation

International Parental Child Abduction Will Cost American Economy Billions Of Dollars Over Next Decade According To Upcoming Report Issued By The I CARE Foundation

New York & Los Angeles (PRWEB) March 26, 2012 

An upcoming I CARE Foundation report focused on determining the estimated cost of international parental child abduction in the United States titled 'The Financial Cost Of International Parental Child Abduction On The U.S. Economy' forecasts targeted American citizen parents who have their child internationally abducted by the other parent could surpass billions of dollars over the next decade in their effort to reunite with their children if the growth rate of abduction is not significantly reduced. In addition, according to the study, the overall cost of international abduction for the American taxpayer is considerably high, as the total cost of abduction includes ancillary and supporting costs associated with cross-border child kidnapping. These costs will be a heavy burden to the American taxpayer and involve considerable expenses related to the financial burden placed on the state and federal court systems who have jurisdiction of the legal proceedings, and costs associated with law enforcement intervention, as the illegal detention of a child by one parent by another in violation of a court order is the criminal act of kidnapping according to state and federal laws, including the International Parental Kidnapping Crimes Act. Additionally, the report cites that due to the hard reality that a parent who has their child criminally internationally abducted by the other parent receives minimal government aid, including no financial support for litigation and minimal financial aid in reunification efforts under the United States' Congress' annexation of The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, many targeted parents will use the vast majority of their resources chasing the cyclone of international parental child abduction in their attempt to reunite with their criminally abducted child. Inevitably, as the nightmare of abduction moves forward, many targeted parents are unable to work due to their need to put considerable time and effort into navigating the complex legal maze required for them to reunite with their child, that is, assuming they even know where their child is. In addition, the financial burden on the American taxpayers in lieu of thousands of parents each year facing the grave challenges of international abduction is consuming and includes a substantial loss of tax revenues due to a chasing parent's loss of employment combined with an increased burden of financial responsibility connected to social service aid needed by many targeted parents, who sadly, are at risk of loosing their life savings trying to rescue their child from kidnapping. According to 'The Financial Cost Of International Parental Child Abduction On The U.S. Economy', collectively, the ancillary and supporting services costs are forecast to have a significant toll on the economy and will continue to grow. The final report is scheduled to be released by the I CARE Foundation in mid-May, 2012.

According to 'Chasing The Cyclone' and 'The World Turned Upside Down' author Peter Thomas Senese, a director of the I CARE Foundation and one of the researchers and writers of 'The Financial Cost Of International Parental Child Abduction On The U.S. Economy", "The financial burdern on American parents and taxpayers due to a failure to create international child abduction prevention laws and for courts to uphold existing laws that protect children, parents, and our nation are shocking, and will exceed billions of dollars, as is predicted in the upcoming report. One of the many questions that presents itself is why no presidential candidate is addressing the billions of dollars that our society will lose, not to mention a prediction that could see over 100,000 American children internationally kidnapped between the anticipated reported and unreported cases over the next decade? Certainly, the possibility of billions of dollars in losses and 100,000 American children's lives stolen is something to talk about."

The most recent statistics of international abduction comes from the 2010 Report on Compliance with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspect of International Child Abduction prepared by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues cites that there were 1,621 ‘reported’ international parental child abductions originating from the U.S. during 2009. The average growth rate over the past several years is approximately 20% per year.Additionally, the number of ‘unreported’ cases of international child abduction to contiguous nations is believed to be substantial and is discussed in "Crisis in America: International Parental Child Abduction Today" that is included in the publication "The World Turned Upside Down." Supporting the concern of the existence of significant ‘unreported’ cases is the most recent National Incidence Study of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-2) study, which reports that of the 203,900 children that are estimated to be parentally abducted annually in the U.S., only 28% (56,500) of these abductions were reported to law enforcement.

Congressman Christopher Smith of New Jersey, the lead sponsor of H.R. 1940 stated in an 'Amendment In The Notice Of A Substitute to H.R. 1940, "The Department of State's Office Of Children's Issues, which serves as the Central Authority of the United States for purposes of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction reported that from fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2010, it received 3,239 new requests for assistance in the return of 4,728 children to the United States from other countries."

Requests for assistance to the United States Office of Children's Issues does not include 'unreported' cases of international abduction, which according to the previously issued report 'Crisis In America' written by Peter Thomas Senese and Florida's Child Abduction Prevention Act writer Carolyn Ann Vlk, is forecasted to be near equivalent to the 'reported' cases of cross-border abduction due in part to immigration migration projections.

Previously, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency stated in their December, 2001 report that, "Left behind parents pay a high price in cases of international abduction. Approximately one-half of the parents surveyed reported on the amount of money they spent for and/on recovering abducted children. These parents spent on average $33,500.00 for search and recovery efforts. About one-fourth of these parents spent $75,000.00 or more." The survey's mean was $61, 238.00, and the medium was $33,500.00.

Joel S. Walter, a prominent international family law attorney practicing in New York State commented, "The 2001 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency report was published over a decade ago. During this past decade the number of illegal child abductions has grown exponentially. So too have the costs associated with reunification as will be conveyed in the I CARE Foundation's upcoming report. Combining the direct financial burden placed on targeted parents, we must consider the ancillary costs associated to court proceedings, law enforcement intervention, government administration of these costs, inflation, and the social cost directly related to the loss of taxable income and social service report. The reality is our nation needs to increase both state and federal laws and policies that prevent abduction from occurring, while our courts and the judges that oversee cases of potential abduction need to act with great caution. Undeniably, this is a grave problem. However, it is simply not a problem that parents who are targeted for this crime face. Economically, the abduction of a child is an attack on the American economy, and the financial cost over the next decade is enormous and will run into the billions of dollars. Clearly, at a time that our nation decides who our new government leaders will be, this is an issue that needs to be seriously discussed."

“According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking has become the second fastest growing criminal industry, with children accounting for roughly half of all victims”, says Matthew Barbis, Founder & Chairman of The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation, “It is abundantly clear that we must fight child abduction at the source and teach our children the proper response before the situation presents itself."

Peter Senese's Critically Acclaimed Legal Thriller Chasing The Cyclone Now Available in E-book On Google Play for Android, Barnes & Noble for Nook, and Amazon For Kindle

Peter Senese's Critically Acclaimed Legal Thriller Chasing The Cyclone Now Available in E-book On Google Play for Android, Barnes & Noble for Nook, and Amazon For Kindle

New York & Los Angeles (PRWEB) March 20, 2012

According to highly respected New York family law attorney Joel S. Walter, a Board of Director of the I CARE Foundation and a member of the United States Department of State’s ‘Hague Convention Attorney Network’, “The surging growth of international family law disputes has led to a dramatic increase in cross-border parental child abductions. Presently, studies originating from the I CARE Foundation suggest that there can be as many as 125,000 American children internationally abducted, as well as a total of over 200,000 children from all of North America. Prevention of abduction is critical, and is an issue facing our nation's courts and lawmakers. However, the burden of understanding the risk issues at hand also fall on shoulders of parents who are targeted for abduction. Thus, it is critical for individuals who have children as a result of a cross-cultural relationship to understand the warning signs and risk issues at hand, particularly when their is suspicion that a relationship may be winding down..”

“One of the most important tools available for parents at risk of international parental child abduction is Peter Thomas Senese’s highly informative novel ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ that brilliantly encompasses the vast majority of risk factors and threats associated with child abduction. Outside of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ being an extremely well written legal thriller that critics are talking about – which is great – because that means awareness is being raised, the fact is Peter Thomas Senese’s brilliant novel provides such incredible insight on the threats and risk factors associated with abduction, and how parents can protect themselves. And even though Mr. Senese’s ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ is written in the form of a novel, it is my opinion that this is the most current published treatise on international child abduction available today. There were no shortcomings of useful information. In fact, I know first-hand in my role as a lawyer and Board of Director of the I CARE Foundation that many parents were able to stop a potential abduction from occurring in great part because they read ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ Funny – who says books don’t save lives? Well, whoever does hasn’t read ‘Chasing The Cyclone’.

Eugene Pothy, added, “On January 17th, 2012, and after 8 ½ years of his abduction, my son Philippe walked out of U.S. Customs at John F. Kennedy airport, and into my arms. Next to me was Peter Thomas Senese, who less than six weeks earlier told me I would have my son home in six weeks. Mr. Senese was wrong: it took him 5 weeks and 5 days to bring my son home! And make no mistake, the effort, planning, field investigators, and entire orchestration that brought my son home was all due to my dear friend, Peter Thomas Senese. Chasing The Cyclone is many things: It is a beacon of hope for chasing parents of abduction, it is a treatise on international child abduction, it is a blue print on how to prevent abduction or reunite with your child, it is an integral part of the fabric that puts this growing community of parents together, and is is, as was demonstrated in my case, a financial vehicle used by Mr. Senese to help offset the financial costs of safely recovering children such as my son."

The New York Journal of Books said of Chasing The Cyclone, "Chasing The Cyclone is a well-written thriller . . . Senese shares myriad emotions by writing in the first-person as he weaves through the action in this suspense-filled story . . . This novel might also be considered a treatise on international child abduction. Cyclone, while full of actual strategies and resources to assist parents in international abductions, is above all else a love story about a father and son ... From Los Angeles, to Canada, to New Zealand, and eventually, Macau, a special administrative region of China, Cyclone is rife with international intrigue and suspense. The protagonist, Paul Francesco, orchestrates a master plan that he hopes will reunite him with the love of his life - his son. Along the way he finds himself swamped in red tape and drenched in frustration. Filled with a plethora of powerful characters and puzzling predicaments and dead ends, the story moves quickly . . . Cyclone will leave you informed and satisfied . . . you will be reluctant to put down."

B. Greig, of the United States Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues [Ret] stated, “This is a very good book.”

The Examiner stated, "Peter Thomas Senese is a gifted storyteller who takes readers on a heart pounding journey around the globe through the eyes of Paul Francesco, a father whose 7-year old son is abducted by his mother. The writing is raw and the emotions are real . . . The story is filled with twists and turns that will leave readers scratching their heads, seething in anger, and hugging their children a little tighter . . . I highly recommend Chasing the Cyclone as 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, and interactions with your child's other parent. I cannot endorse this book strongly enough."

Peter Thomas Senese stated, “Chasing The Cyclone was the first, and perhaps the most important step I had taken to fulfill a promise I made during the time I was personally ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ of abduction to one day try to play a part and help other parents at risk of this cruel, and misunderstood crime of abuse toward children. It is humbling yet very gratifying to know that parents at risk are taking away critical components shared in ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, and using this information to protect their own children.”

Joel S. Walter added, “I know I speak for the rest of the leadership within the I CARE Foundation when I say the incredible commitment of Peter Thomas Senese to help targeted children and parents of international child abduction is significant, measurable, selfless, and consistent. As the Founding Director of the I CARE Foundation, Mr. Senese has made himself accessible to an incredible number of at risk parents, and where possible, has assisted these parents via the use of the I CARE Foundation’s attorney network, which I am proud to say, I too am a member of. With Mr. Senese’s indefatigable commitment to help others, the I CARE Foundation has assisted in reuniting numerous children who were previously abducted while also preventing a significantly more number of children from being stolen. Along the way, he has never asked for anything. Peter Thomas Senese has simply acted, and his actions have made a very big difference in the lives of many children.”

‘Chasing The Cyclone’ is one of numerous tools Peter Thomas Senese has created to help others, including parents, policymakers, and judges aware of the plethora of issues facing children at risk of abduction. In addition to providing financial resources to the I CARE Foundation, including donating 100% of all author royalties generated from the e-book sales of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, ‘The Den of the Assassin’, ‘Cloning Christ’, and ‘The World Turned Upside Down’, that is available on Amazon for Kindle users, Barnes & Noble for Nook users, and Google Play for Android e-book readers, Mr. Senese has produced and narrated the extensive ongoing educational documentary film on international child abduction titled ‘Chasing Parents’.

Best-selling Author Peter Thomas Senese Donates 100% of Earnings Generated From Barnes & Noble Nook Sales Of Chasing The Cyclone To Stop International Child Abduction

Best-selling Author Peter Thomas Senese Donates 100% of Earnings Generated From Barnes & Noble Nook Sales Of Chasing The Cyclone To Stop International Child Abduction

Los Angeles (PRWEB) March 10, 2012 

Best-selling geopolitical thriller author Peter Thomas Senese and Pacifica Publishing are pleased to announce the critically acclaimed international legal thriller Chasing The Cyclone is now available at Barnes & Noble in e-book for Nook readers. Previously, Chasing The Cyclone was made available exclusively on Amazon as Mr. Senese donated 100% of his royalties to the I CARE Foundation, an organization created to assist parents and children targeted for abduction.

Peter Thomas Senese commented, "I am pleased to share that Chasing The Cyclone is now available at Barnes & Noble for Nook users for download. Barnes & Noble is a vital institution for readers and writers alike. As we prepare for Chasing The Cyclone's upcoming international hardcover release, along with some other important news related to this story and international child abduction, I am pleased to share that 100% of my author royalties earned from Chasing The Cyclone e-book sales at Barnes & Noble will be donated to the I CARE Foundation.

Critics have praised Peter Thomas Senese's Chasing The Cyclone.

The New York Journal of Books said of Chasing The Cyclone, "Chasing The Cyclone is a well-written thriller . . . Senese shares myriad emotions by writing in the first-person as he weaves through the action in this suspense-filled story . . . This novel might also be considered a treatise on international child abduction. Cyclone, while full of actual strategies and resources to assist parents in international abductions, is above all else a love story about a father and son ... From Los Angeles, to Canada, to New Zealand, and eventually, Macau, a special administrative region of China, Cyclone is rife with international intrigue and suspense. The protagonist, Paul Francesco, orchestrates a master plan that he hopes will reunite him with the love of his life - his son. Along the way he finds himself swamped in red tape and drenched in frustration. Filled with a plethora of powerful characters and puzzling predicaments and dead ends, the story moves quickly . . . Cyclone will leave you informed and satisfied . . . you will be reluctant to put down."

The Examiner stated, "Peter Thomas Senese is a gifted storyteller who takes readers on a heart pounding journey around the globe through the eyes of Paul Francesco, a father whose 7-year old son is abducted by his mother. The writing is raw and the emotions are real . . . The story is filled with twists and turns that will leave readers scratching their heads, seething in anger, and hugging their children a little tighter . . . I highly recommend Chasing the Cyclone as 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, and interactions with your child's other parent. I cannot endorse this book strongly enough."

Peter Thomas Senese's inspirational legal thriller is one that perhaps few other writers could have written with such intimacy, familiarity, and depth of understanding: it is a story of a father doing everything possible to find and reunite with his internationally abducted child that is Peter Thomas Senese's Chasing The Cyclone, which is heavily inspired by the writer's own experience chasing into the cyclones of international child abduction. Since his own experiences ended, and fulfilling a promise that he made, Mr. Senese has had a significant impact on creating various tools to assist targeted children and parents, including the creation of The I CARE Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stopping child abduction that has successfully reunited numerous internationally abducted children with their parents, or has assisted in the prevention of an abduction. In fact, Peter Thomas Senese is donating 100% of his author royalties to the I CARE Foundation. One of the major successful undertakings of the I CARE Foundation's is the public campaign to build the Department of State's Hague Convention Attorney Network of pro bono lawyers willing to assist targeted children of abduction.

Peter Thomas Senese's New Novel On International Child Abduction 'Chasing The Cyclone' Awakens Society's Understanding Of Global Epidemic Facing Defenseless Children

Peter Thomas Senese's New Novel On International Child Abduction 'Chasing The Cyclone' Awakens Society's Understanding Of Global Epidemic Facing Defenseless Children

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 24, 2012

CHASING THE CYCLONE, Peter Thomas Senese'srecently released novel book critics and parents are praising as a spectacular call-to-arms against international child abduction and a gripping legal thriller that raises the bar on society's understanding of this devastating epidemic.

The New York Journal of Books said of Chasing The Cyclone, "Chasing The Cyclone is a well-written thriller . . . Senese shares myriad emotions by writing in the first-person as he weaves through the action in this suspense-filled story . . . This novel might also be considered a treatise on international child abduction. Cyclone, while full of actual strategies and resources to assist parents in international abductions, is above all else a love story about a father and son ... From Los Angeles, to Canada, to New Zealand, and eventually, Macau, a special administrative region of China, Cyclone is rife with international intrigue and suspense. The protagonist, Paul Francesco, orchestrates a master plan that he hopes will reunite him with the love of his life - his son Alex Along the way he finds himself swamped in red tape and drenched in frustration. Filled with a plethora of powerful characters and puzzling predicaments and dead ends, the story moves quickly . . . Cyclone will leave you informed and satisfied . . . you will be reluctant to put down."

Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese inspirational legal thriller is one that perhaps few other writers could have written with such intimacy, familiarity, and depth of understanding: it is a story of a father doing everything possible to find and reunite with his internationally abducted child that is Peter Thomas Senese'sCHASING THE CYCLONE which is heavily inspired by the writer's own experience chasing into the cyclones of international child abduction. Since his own experiences ended, and fulfilling a promise that he made, Mr. Senese has had a significant impact on creating various tools to assist targeted children and parents, including the creation of The I CARE Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stopping child abduction that has successfully reunited numerous internationally abducted children with their parents, or has assisted in the prevention of an abduction. In fact, Peter Thomas Senese is donating 100% of his author royalties to the I CARE Foundation. One of the major successful undertakings of the I CARE Foundation's is the public campaign to build the Department of State's Hague Convention Attorney Network of pro bono lawyers willing to assist targeted children of abduction,

Peter Thomas Senese commented, "Chasing The Cyclone is story many readers are connecting with. Unquestionably, it is a legal thriller with many twists and subplots that move the reader into a complex storyline that would have been extremely difficult to replicate if it were not for my own experiences of having a child taken to the other side of the world. In many ways, Chasing The Cyclone can be viewed as a seed of the activism and awareness campaign that I have been actively involved with these past few years. Regardless if you consider the educational documentary film I created titled 'Chasing Parents', or the various legislative initiatives I am involved with, or the building of the I CARE Foundation's pro bono attorney network, or weighing in on the many children and parents I have assisted, it all starts with Chasing The Cyclone. Presently, the novel is available exclusively in E-book format via Amazon. And 100% of my author royalties have been donated to the I CARE Foundation in order to assist others."

Many of Amazon's renown HALL OF FAME reviewers are praising Peter Thomas Senese's recently released international legal thriller CHASING THE CYCLONE as an electrifying story fans of high suspense legal thrillers readers and every loving parent must read.

Amazon Hall of Fame book reviewer Daniel Jolley commented, "Chasing The Cyclone" isn't just a powerful novel; it's a call to arms against a growing epidemic that is tearing lives apart behind the headlines... "Chasing The Cyclone" is much more than just a superb, can't-put-down novel, though; it is a book with a purpose... Thomas has become an outspoken advocate on this issue, and 'Chasing The Cyclone' makes for a clear and profoundly effective call to action. 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 Hall of Fame book reviewer Harriett Klausner added, . . . "This is an exciting cautionary thriller that grips readers from the onset . . . "Chasing The Cyclone" will shake the audience, this exciting cautionary thriller grips readers from the onset..."

Dr. Grady Harp, a highly respected Amazon Hall Of Fame book reviewer said, "Peter Thomas Senese 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 Senese demonstrates his quality as a writer of distinction on many levels... this impossible to put down book..."

Amazon Top Book Reviewer Shelley Gammon added, "Chasing the Cyclone" is the second book I've read by Peter Thomas Senese, and like "The Den of the Assassin," it's a real page turner... This was a book I could not put down. Thomas has a gift in writing a compelling novel that not only keeps the reader engaged, but educates as well."

Added Peter Thomas Senese,"Chasing The Cyclone" is an entertaining book many readers have connected to as it is a serious legal thriller that hits a nerve with our desire to love our children best we can." Peter Thomas Senese is the author of geopolitical thrillers including THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, CLONING CHRIST, and WAR ON WALL STREET.

In his ongoing effort to assist parents and children targeted for abduction, Peter Thomas Senese is donating 100% of his author royalties earned from 'The Den of the Assassin', 'Cloning Christ', 'The World Turned Upside Down', and 'Chasing The Cyclone' to the I CARE Foundation.