Children in between
Sheding light on parental child abduction and its lifetime traces
Ongoing project
Every year an estimated 250.000 children go missing in Europe*, internationally by far more. In 2022 24 % of this number were parental abduction cases, increased by 3,3 % compared to the year before. Parental abduction means children taken away to or kept in a country other than that of their normal residence by one of their parents or persons having parental authority against the will of the other parent or other person with parental authority.
With my professional background as a lawyer and mediator for children in the field of cross-border family conflicts including parental abduction, I seek to address and raise awareness of the gravity of child abduction and its (long term) impacts on the affected children through this photography project.
“Children in Between” aims to spark understanding, conversation and action, to give the children a voice and to contribute to more support systems and caring for their wellbeing.
Meeting Konstanze, an Indian-German woman who was abducted by her parent in her early childhood, I wanted to tell her story through the visual means of photography. It is the story of Konstanze’s journey, and that of thousands of abducted children around the world. It’s a story of family, belonging, roots, identity, pain and the chance of healing. Konstanze being an amazing person, a role model, engaging to helping others by having helped herself first.
Having met the Fashion Designer Michal Hidas and having learned about her beautiful, amazing ethical fashion collections, I immediately thought her high-end fashion collection “Bridging” would create a powerful additional meaning and visual impact, highlighting this story to tell.
The topic of “Bridging” differences and connecting resonated highly in me, adding more valuable layers to the project, referring to bridging countries und cultures, bridging families, bridging torn apart parts of oneself. Reaching out to Michal, she was right away engaged in this collaboration. Konstanze wears Michal’s designs, empowered, shining, strong, a role model. She exudes hope, full of Charisma.
*Figures from “Missing Children Europe” Report 2022
