The heartbreak NZ Citizens and their children are going through, where they have not been protected against 'grave risk' due to the Hague Convention and why standards of exceptions need to be amended. 
Reference: NZ Herald. 

Women who've experienced domestic violence everywhere know, there can be no guarantee of protection. Women sent 'home' may have little means to support themselves and may be financially dependent on the abusive partner they have escaped from. 

The courts can ignore the agreement and refuse to order the return of children in exceptional circumstances: most commonly where there is 'grave risk' of harm to the children. But it's rare for New Zealand courts to grant exceptions. 

In one case; There was evidence of serious violence, drug-taking and death threats, including one occasion in which he poured kerosene over the mother of the children in question. But the Family Court ruled that the children's return did not expose them to grave risk. Although she had obtained a domestic violence order in Australia and a protection order in New Zealand.

How is it okay for a child witness to their mother being subject to serious abuse and violence? 

Critics say our judges are overly worried about maintaining the integrity of the convention and set the threshold for exceptions too high.

Others concerned, calling for an overhaul point out that the profile of child abductors has changed. When it was introduced, they were most likely to be fathers - non-custodial partners who would take the kids for an overseas holiday and disappear. But for the past decade, most abductors have been women - many escaping violent partners. How is protecting your children wrong?

Non biological parents can also control using the Hague Convention..


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For those who know me personally; How does this affect you and I?

Unfortunately, I was one of those mothers and I have broken my silence. This came as a shock to most, even nearest and dearest. I had felt imprisoned and unable to ask for help or 'speak up' for many years. 

I previously fought a forceful return to Australia of my daughter and I who have both suffered the abuse and violence many women and children today face, How is this the unspoken normal?
We had the courage after years to speak up and finally escape, to only have the possibility of being sent back 9 and a half months later when we had settled into our new normal.. we have friends, we have family, we have a roof over our heads, we have income to support ourselves and most importantly WE ARE SAFE IN NEW ZEALAND. 

Note: The above has been edited to past tense as all related court proceedings are finalized and no longer active, however this is still an ongoing issue for other New Zealand families therefore this petition remains active for those who still wish to support it or are yet to discover the cause.
 

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To everyone, PLEASE sign and share this petition to show that you firmly agree and want to protect New Zealand Citizens and their children. 

WE ARE STILL GETTING SIGNATURES IN 2020! Thank you. 

Take an additional minute to read the NZ Heralds article 
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10445958
and see where this has gone so wrong for other mothers and children.
OR - Google News "Hague Convention New Zealand" and stay up to date.