Mothers vs The Hague - a human rights documentary

This GoFundMe is the starting point to raise funds for the feature documentary, Working Title: HAGUED, which explores the legal cases of mothers who have been wrongfully convicted and suffered extensively under the laws of the Hague Convention for fleeing domestic violence to protect their children and themselves.

Around the world, when a mother flees domestic violence to protect herself and her children, and the mother and father are not from the same country, very often, the perpetrator of the violence will enact the Hague Convention law and the fleeing parent is charged with child abduction. These cases represent a serious human rights violation for both the mothers and the children. 76% of the Hague cases are women fleeing domestic violence. 98% of these cases are won by the perpetrator, who thereby uses the legal system to continue their abuse and control. There is ZERO follow-up on how the children are doing after they are given back to the abusive parent. The mothers are branded as child abductors and they lose access to their children. As they continue to fight the legal barriers to fair treatment, many face prison time. Historically, judges simply comply with the Hague Convention law without considering the violence the women and children are trying to escape.

Last summer, Brazil made a groundbreaking declaration that domestic violence was an exception to repatriation under the Hague Convention. This government level support for mothers and children fleeing domestic violence is a light of hope that we hope to shine for other countries.

The funds for the starting stages of this documentary will be used to rent equipment and travel to interview a U.S. mother who is facing a prison sentence in Europe. The child's father forced her and her child out of the country and then enacted the Hague law. The timing is critical as she awaits the 10-day notice to report to prison before her attorneys can file for a pardon. Criminal charges should not have been filed per a U.S. court order.

Thank you for any support. If you cannot donate to this cause, but you know someone who is passionate about standing up for mothers' and children's rights, please forward this GoFundMe.

Sincerely,

Sidse Powell

Director & Producer