Peter Thomas Senese & Carolyn Ann Vlk Publish Highly Informative Open-Tablet E-book To Aide Children & Their Families At Risk Of Child Abduction

Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese along with child advocate Carolyn Ann Vlk have announced the official E-book publication release of their groundbreaking international child abduction prevention open-tablet resource guide titled ‘The World Turned Upside Down’.

Demonstrating the child abduction prevention advocates ongoing commitment to assist targeted children and their parents against the rapidly expanding criminal act of international parental child kidnapping while also seeking to raise the public’s awareness of the growing epidemic of cross-border child abduction, Peter Thomas Senese and Carolyn Ann Vlk have made the highly informative ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ available as a free E-book to ensure that the information provided is immediately accessible to those who may desperately need it.

‘The World Turned Upside Down’ by Peter Thomas Senese and Carolyn Ann Vlk is a unique and extensive resource guide containing significant and relevant information on international child abduction including a series of landmark research studies that will be of great interest to any individual concerned with preventing either domestic or international child abduction, including targeted parents, law enforcement officers, courts, social workers, lawmakers, and other professionals who advocate for children and who are interested in understanding and preventing this serious and dangerous crime against unsuspecting children.

Unique to the child advocates’ efforts, ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ takes shape in the form of a virtual E-book that is expected to be frequently updated with new content, information, and material as relevant and useful information concerning international child abduction becomes available. In essence, ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ (315 pp) is the foundation for what will become a very unique open-tablet cyber-library capable of providing critically important, easily accessible information on international parental child kidnapping to all individuals in need of such information.

Peter Thomas Senese previously created and produced along with Carolyn Vlk the groundbreaking 9-part educational documentary film series on criminal international parental child abduction titled ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’, and is the author of the upcoming critically praised novel on international child abduction titled ‘Chasing The Cyclone’. Mr. Senese commented, “It has been Carolyn and my intent to continue to make a substantially helpful impact for defenseless children and their parents who are targeted by predator parents or others intent on committing the criminal and cruel act of international child kidnapping.   One of the many aspects that makes ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ a unique book is that in its open-tablet E-book format we will be able to add new and relevant material and cross-index this information as it comes to light so individuals in need of the new information will have immediate access to it. What we’re creating is a living E-book that is expected to evolve into a single-resource for the millions of targeted parents, law enforcement officers, lawmakers, and child advocates from around the world who are interested in stopping child abduction.”

Co-Author Carolyn Ann Vlk included, “Peter and I have been extremely committed to raising the public’s awareness on the high-growth and seriousness of the crime of international parental child abduction while also seeking to implement child abduction prevention measures such as the state of Florida’s Child Abduction Prevention Act that is now law, or the implementation of the federal ‘Prevent Departure Program’, which is now a widely dispersed and extremely useful tool used to combat international parental child abduction here in the United States. Our present activity includes creating new legislation that will close the significant abduction and trafficking loopholes associated with the ‘Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative’ that clearly has created a black hole on international abduction and human trafficking We’re actively engaged in creating legislation that will hold non-citizen child abductors accountable for their kidnapping crime with respect to our nation’s immigration policy. And we’re actively seeking solutions that will take a stand against dual-passport issues with respect to a child of duel citizenship possessing a foreign passport when this child has been declared a risk for criminal abduction by one parent.

“In our extensive voluntary child abduction prevention activity together, Peter and I continue to ask the questions, ‘How and why are our children being criminally internationally abducted at such staggering rates, and what can be done about it?” ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ takes into consideration, and offers answers to many facets of these questions while also providing valuable insight on the issues at hand that are based upon our extensive and ongoing research as demonstrated.”

Peter Thomas Senese, reached in Washington, D.C. where he was actively educating policymakers on the proposed WHTI modification legislation added, “Tragically, there is limited social understanding as to the inherent cruel acts of child abuse and serious dangers associated with the pandemic of international parental child abduction. And despite parental child abduction being a federal crime of kidnapping in the United States, as well as in most every other nation, the growth of these malicious acts against children has increased in substantial part due to failures by lawmakers to create child abduction prevention laws, and more glaringly, even greater failures by the judiciary to implement and uphold these laws created in order to protect children from the act of international criminal kidnapping. Thus, in part, it is our hope that ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ sheds further light into just how dangerous a situation we have on our hands, while offering certain solutions that can make a sizeable difference in curtailing the unyielding growth of international parental child abduction and child trafficking. In reality, there are very real solutions that can be implemented that will dramatically reduce the number of criminal abductions, I think the key is to look within at prevention issues, while of course, holding all nations accountable who do not comply with international law.”

According to Carolyn Ann Vlk, “The statistical challenges of this pandemic as published in ‘Crisis In America: International Parental Child Abduction Today’ Peter  Senese and I previously released include the harsh reality that many nations do not even attempt to keep record of how many children are criminally removed from their borders each year. And those nations that do, such as the United States, have only published the ‘reported’ number of cases without providing any insight into what clearly is a much more sizeable number of ‘unreported’ cases of international child abduction.  There are millions of children each year around the world who are targeted for abduction each year, with a substantial number of these children intended to be removed from their native country of origin. In fact, if the growth rate of international parental child abduction continues to rise as projected, in the year 2020 alone the United States will have more children criminally parentally kidnapped from our nation’s borders than can fill a professional baseball stadium!”

The outlook for parents of children criminally kidnapped abroad seeking to reunite with their kidnapped children is tragically alarming.  For instance, there are approximately 200 criminally abducted U.S. and Canadian child-citizens illegally detained in Japan right now. In our history, no U.S. or Canadian child who was abducted from either the U.S. or Canada has ever been returned home. None. Ever. Japan is a black hole of child abduciton where no child has ever been legally brought back. Sadly, there are many black holes.

The title for the publication ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ was created due to the reality that many parents who are targeted for international parental child abduction enter into a nightmarish ordeal where limited help and understanding is found, and the majority of criminally kidnapped children are never returned. Supporting this reality is Janice L. Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs for the United States Department of State who writes, "Very few options exist for parents and children who are victims of parental child abduction.” Ms. Jacobs also stated, "Unfortunately, current trends reflect a steady increase in the number of international parental child abduction cases and highlight the urgency of redoubling efforts to promote compliance with [Hague] Convention obligations and encourage additional nations to join the Convention."

Ernie Allen, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children has previously stated, "The problem of missing, abducted, trafficked and sexually exploited children is large, growing, under-recognized and under-reported” Mr. Allen observed, “Children are the single most victimized segment of our population.  Even with all of the progress we have made, most Americans still don’t understand that basic fact.  According to Justice Department research, more than 2,000 children will be reported missing in the United States today!" Additionally, Mr. Allen stated, "The numbers are staggering. The tragedies continue and too many children do not make it home.”

Mr. Martin Waage, Director of ABP World Group, a leading global security, investigation and child recovery organization with an incredible track record of participating in the safe reunification of over 200 criminally internationally abducted children with their targeted parents, and who has contributed to ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ states, “Over many years, my organization has seen the rapid increase of criminal international child abductions throughout the world. One of the great challenges we are aware of is that targeted parents who are trying to protect their children from international kidnapping or who have had their child criminally stolen abroad is a lack of cohesive information on what to do if your child is at risk or is stolen. There are, in reality, not many efficient options, and timing is critical. Peter Thomas Senese and Carolyn Ann Vlk’s remarkable efforts to create this resource will have a substantially beneficial impact on the global community. I applaud their voluntary work and commitment in creating ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ and further acknowledge their ongoing research projects that have an intended end-result to create new laws that will aid children everywhere. International parental child abduction is a well-documented act of child abuse surrounding a series of criminal acts by the abducting, scheming conspirator. ABP World Group looks forward to continuing in our global efforts of preventing this type of crime from occurring against children, as we are committed to adding to the evolution of ‘The World Turned Upside Down’s’ living library”

David B, a father who successfully reunited with his previously abducted child commented, “IPCA is a severe crime against both the child and targeted parent. The malice of an abducting parent is well documented by leading experts and government officials in the United States and elsewhere. The fact is, international child abduction is a criminal act of kidnapping. The severity of this crime can be long lasting for the child. Today, we need to uphold the criminal statutes in place in order to protect our children. Those individuals known to have criminally abducted a child internationally should not be allowed back in the country due to the severity of their crime and the likelihood that they will attempt to re-abducted a child once again: an occurrence that is well documented. ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ is an incredible resource guide that not only will help targeted parents, but will educate policymakers as to just how bad and dangerous this situation really is. The book’s free release and the material contained in it demonstrates how deeply committed and knowledgeable Carolyn and Peter are to helping children everywhere.”

A. Castro, whose child was previously criminally abducted to Europe, successfully reunited with his child, to only need to act again to prevent a second abduction added, “The failure by courts and their judges to understand the gravity of international parental child abduction and the ease of which a parent can criminally abduct a child has led to the substantial spike in the number of tragic abduction cases. The information contained in ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ and the selfless and dedicated efforts of Carolyn Ann Vlk and Peter Thomas Senese to provide assistance to targeted children and parents like myself is incredible. This publication is an extremely helpful resource guide every person involved in child abduction should read.”

Gloria Nyberg, a leading child abduction prevention advocate who has participated in a substantial number of international parental child abduction reunifications and who has acted endlessly to prevent targeted children from becoming victims of criminal child abduction stated, “For many parents who face having a child abducted abroad, the maze of complex legal and personal issues they must immediately attempt to navigate can be devastating. The challenges are magnified many fold due to the fact that most every parent does not expect for this crime against them and their child to happen. They are typically victims of a well-conspired fraudulent plan. By creating ‘The World Turned Upside Down’, Peter Thomas Senese and Carolyn Vlk are providing the world with yet another very special gift: a remarkable resource guide that will help a tremendous number of people, including parents and children facing this type of crime. Combining this publication with the extensive previous research reports and educational documentary film Peter and Carolyn have previously created or published, along with their tireless effort to create and implement new laws that will serve children everywhere, their efforts have and will continue to bring positive awareness of the dangerous and growing issues at hand.”

Amanda B, a mother presently at risk of having her young children abducted to the Middle East added, “The selfless efforts of Peter and Carolyn have made a direct impact on the safety and welfare of my children. I am grateful for their direct assistance on my and my children’s behalf: today my children are safe at home, and I am extremely grateful. ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ is such a vital resource that parents like myself, who are at risk of having their children internationally abducted, can turn to. It is an incredibly useful tool written by two caring child advocates who give of themselves freely in order to help others.”

Maurizio R, who is presently chasing the nightmarish cyclone of international parental child kidnapping and the incomprehensible legal and prejudicial maze many targeted parents unfairly face while trying to protect their criminally victimized child said, “Thanks to ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ and the admirable efforts of it’s authors Peter Senese and Carolyn Vlk, we have a real manual that tells us in detail a substantial amount about the world of international parental child abduction. As a parent involved in a case of international child abduction, I can say that this book is a precious help to all who are subject to the horror of having a child kidnapped abroad.  And as for Peter, I can say that I found on the other side of the world a person who has opened his heart to me, helped me as I continue to reunite with my child, and who has made me feel less alone in this terrible experience.”

Jill Jones Soderman, PHD the Executive Director of ‘The Foundation For The Child Victims Of The Family Courts’ (501c3), and the Founder of ‘The Family Resolution Center’, located in Chester, New York, which focuses on issues surrounding children, including international child abduction and parental alienation added, “Peter Thomas Senese and Carolyn Ann Vlk have committed a significant portion of their lives and personal resources to the intervention and prevention of child abduction. As part of such efforts, Peter and Carolyn have written one of the most comprehensive, understandable written works bound by groundbreaking and landmark research on a plethora of issues surrounding the criminal act of international child abduction. In ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ Peter Senese and Carolyn Vlk’s commitment toward defenseless children and their targeted parents is undeniable, extraordinarily impactful, and speaks volumes from the loving hearts of Peter Senese and Carolyn Vlk. ‘The Foundation For The Children Victims Of The Family Courts’ looks forward to contributing to the ongoing resource guide ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ as this incredible evolving open-tablet E-book will make a positive difference against the war on international parental child abduction and child abuse.”

‘The World Turned Upside Down’ is available for free download on best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese’s official website, the official website of Senese’s ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, and on numerous websites including ‘International Parental Child Abduction Information’. Also available on these sites is the educational documentary film ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’ created and narrated by Peter Thomas Senese, and co-produced by Carolyn Ann Vlk, along with various helpful information.

Peter Thomas Senese added, “Carolyn and I are pleased to publish the open-tablet E-book ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ as we continue our efforts to prevent the acts of international child abduction.  We recognize that ours are only part of the great effort put forth by a global community interested in protecting children everywhere. We thank all those who have demonstrated leadership in this area, feel deeply for those children who have been victimized by the malicious acts of abduction along with their parents who have or who are chasing the cyclones of child abduction, and look forward to participating in efforts that will create new laws and policies focused on protecting targeted children and their parents from abduction.”

Peter Senese Calls For New York State Legislators To Pass The DIGITAL IMPERSONATION PREVENTION ACT

New York State legislators are on the cusp of passing a remarkable and much needed law that will benefit all citizens of the state: the 'Digital Impersonation Prevention Act'. The Legislation was created to prevent individuals with malice and illicit intent to use the name of another person online for purposes of causing their target personal injury.

New York State Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner (D-Upper East Side, Yorkville) who has sponsored the crucial legislation in the State Assembly said, "“It seems like every day we hear about a new and horrific case of identity theft. It’s grown beyond hacking into your bank account. People’s lives can be ruined by thieves who steal their email accounts or Facebook pages to use them for malicious purposes. People have actually been driven to suicide in cases.”

One of the benefits of the Internet is that it allows for anonymity; however, there is a serious price to be paid by many because the atmosphere has created the ability for anonymous posters to create false, untrue, slanderous, and harassing content with the sole purpose to cause the person they are attacking undue harm. It has been estimated there were over 9 million victims of online identity theft and impersonation last year alone: a number that is growing.

Presently, in New York State there are various laws that protect online identity theft and impersonation; however, with the anticipated passage of the 'Digital Impersonation Prevention Act', a new specific law will be in place that deals directly with this issue. It can and should be used in conjunction with other laws in place in order to protect those who are targeted for identity theft or impersonation.

One of the ways celebrities may protect their identity is to trademark their name. But this is not possible for the average working person. Copyright protection laws allows for certain protection to occur under laws governing personal property; howver, if you do not have copyrighted work that is attached to you such as a book or a film, then a person will not be protected under law.

In the past online identity impersonation typically involved financial transactions. Today the fastest growing form of online identity theft and impersonation is used to cause personal injury toward a target in conjunction with defamation,slander, libel, and harassing actions including cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Fortunately, in New York State there exists laws that deal with these issue. However, the 'Digital Impersonation Prevention Act' will be a much needed and added resource available to targeted victims.

In the world of international parental child abduction, laws that prevent digital impersonation are critical. For a parent intending to abduct a child internationally, the elements of the abduciton typically include a well thought out plan, including how to defend the abduction if there is a chance that the international courts such as the Hague Courts may become involved. Under the Hague Convention's Article 13, the rules allow for an abducting parent to defend their criminal abduction by claiming that it is in the best interest of the child for the child to not be ordered to return to the country of original jurisdiction. In order to prove this, the criminally abducting parent must 'create' a series of personal attacks on the the target in order to falsely demonstrate the targeted parents incapability to care for the welfare of the abducted child. Commonly, this will include the use of the Internet to slander, defame, harass, and cause grave injury to the target. The majority of this is done anonymously or under false name online via various community forums in order to falsely and misleadingly fabricate a communal negative perspective on the target. And unfortunately for the targeted parent, they have their hands more than full at that time because they are attempting to navigate the cruel multi-international litigation nightmare attached to trying to prevent, find, or bring home their child.

During the time that my child was internationally abducted in accordanc to the rules of the Hague Convention, I, like many parents who came before me as well as those who will sadly come after me, had to deal with this very issue. I was fortunate in the sense that the international courts under the Hague had seen through the conspiracy, and these courts ordered for my child to be returned. I was able to present literally several hundred sworn personal and professional letters to the court referring to my conduct, and I had resources available that allowed me to successfully litigate against the malicious slander and defamation that took place. I am also aware that many targeted parents may not have the resources to accomplish some of what I have. And that is why, from a viewpoint of international parental child abduction, laws such as the 'Digital Inpersonation Prevention Act' must be passed into law in each and every state.

Unfortunately for many targeted parents of abduction who have successfully recovered their child, a problem still exits: the abducting parent still remains at large: bitter, angry, and filled with a desire for revenge and to cause the chasing parent additional harm (it is noted by leading experts in the area of IPCA that the vast majority of parental abductors use the child of the relationship in order to cause great harm toward the targeted parent). In fact, Dr. Janet Johnston (Judith Wallerstein Center for the Family in Transition) and Dr. Linda Girdner (ABA Center on Children and the Law) along with other reknown therapist and law enforcement officers have openly stated that an abducting parent exhibit sociopathic behavior and have little respect for or concern of the law.

Online identity theft and impersonation generated due to malice is a growing and very serious problem. Civil litigation can protect an individual from defamation and slander, but the process can be long. Additionally, if you sue a person due to their misconduct, if they have no assets, you may be able to have the defamatory content removed from the Internet, but the individuals behind the malice will not be held truly accountable for their acts. And in certain circumstances content cannot be taken down under Internet law (though I have recently learned that there are other possible ways to have content removed). Nevertheless, once untruthful content is placed online, there is a challenge to have it removed. One important remedy a targeted person can do is to address matters under criminal law, particularly since many cases of malicious online impersonation include defamatory, slanderous, and malicous content posted. The 'Digital Impersonation Prevention Act' adds to the arsenal of laws already established that may be utilized to protect individuals from online malice.

Various research also indicates that a person who will impersonate or steal another person's online identity is acts with fearless reckless abandonment because they think they are protected to continue their acts because of the difficulties associated with their target bringing litigation, and, under civil court action, they can be sued - but if they have very little to take, they could care less.

The remedy to all of this is very simple: create and enforce criminal codes that will hold individuals who impersonate or steal another person's identity with the sole purpose of causing malicious harm to that person fully and unequivocally accountable under criminal law. I speak from heavy experience on this issue as I have been the victim of this type of act to which I have taken serious and unilateral action under all laws available to me.

“Anonymity is a criminal’s best friend—and it’s one of the defining features of the Internet,” said Assembly Member Kellner. “New Yorkers deserve stronger protections so we can bring these nefarious individuals out of the shadows and hold them accountable for their actions.”


I am in full support of the passage of the Digital Impersonation Prevention Act as this bill will be a great law for New York. I hope you will be as well. Here is the legislation that is moving its way through Albany's legisltion.

Senator Martin Golden has sponsored the bill in the Senate and will navigate the legislation as it moves through the Senate.

S4015-2011: Enacts the Digital Impersonation Prevention Act

Same as: A6238 / Versions: S4015-2011 S4015A-2011 Print HTML Page / Print Original Bill Format / ShareThis/ Read or Leave Comments

Enacts the digital impersonation prevention act.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sponsor: GOLDEN / Committee: CODES / Law Section: Penal Law

S4015-2011 Actions
Mar 25, 2011: PRINT NUMBER 4015A
Mar 25, 2011: AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CODES
Mar 14, 2011: REFERRED TO CODES
S4015-2011 Memo
BILL NUMBER:S4015

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting the digital
impersonation prevention act

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish the crime of digital
impersonation and to create effective penalties for those who engage
in digital impersonation for the purposes of harming, threatening, or
defrauding another person, sending unsolicited bulk mails or
commercial solicitations, or downloading or utilizing a contact list.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1:

Establishes the title 'Digital Impersonation Prevention Act"

Section.2:

-Amends the penal law by adding a new section 190.87, establishing the
crime of digital impersonation;

-Provides that a person is guilty of digital impersonation when he or
she, knowingly, with intent to defraud and without consent,
creditably impersonates another actual person through or on an
Internet web site or by other electronic means for purposes of: (i)
harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person;
(ii) transmitting unsolicited commercial solicitations or unsolicited
bulk messages; or (iii) copying, accessing, downloading or utilizing
a contact list;

-Establishes the meaning of creditable impersonation;

-Defines "electronic means," "contact list," "unsolicited commercial
solicitations," and "unsolicited bulk messages";

-Establishes penalties for violations; and

-Provides that a person who suffers loss or damage by reason of a
violation may a bring civil action against the violator; sets forth
damages and other relief.

Section 3: Sets effective date

JUSTIFICATION:
Digital identity theft, more accurately known as
digital impersonation, has been a growing problem in the internet era.
The US Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million
Americans have their identities stolen each year. Historically, the

major motive for identity theft has been financial fraud, as thieves
use
stolen identities to make credit card purchases, withdraw funds, and
set up phony accounts. Over the past few years, we have seen an
increase in a more personal kind of impersonation: the use of
Internet anonymity to harass individuals. In 2010, for instance, the
New York Times reported on the rise of cyber bullying and what can
happen if the issue is not addressed. The article told the story of
Marie, a single mother from Newburyport, Massachusetts, whose son had
become increasingly withdrawn since entering a new high school. After
some investigating, Marie discovered that a number of her son's
classmates had created a Facebook page with her son's name and
picture. The page in question was being used by others to bully
people her son barely knew, with the blame for
this behavior falling unfairly on her son. It is clear that stronger
measures are needed to combat such actions.

Additionally, thieves have made use of stolen identities to send
'spam' unsolicited bulk email messages and commercial
solicitations-circumventing mechanisms intended to block such
unwanted messages by sending them from the accounts of unwitting
identity theft victims. According to a report commissioned by McAfee,
a computer-security company, approximately 62 trillion unsolicited
emails were sent in 2008, with serious economic and environmental
consequences. Many of these messages were sent from stolen or
hijacked email accounts.

Already, states like California have passed laws to crack down on
digital impersonation. New York should follow suit. This legislation
would create effective penalties for those who engage in digital
impersonation for the purposes of harming, threatening, or defrauding
another person, sending unsolicited bulk emails or commercial
solicitations, or downloading or utilizing a contact list. It also
establishes a civil cause of action for people who are victims of
digital impersonation.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
The law shall take effect on the first of November
next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become law.


Text
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
4015
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N SENATE
March 14, 2011
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting the digital
impersonation prevention act
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "digital
impersonation prevention act".
S 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 190.87 to read
as follows:
S 190.87 DIGITAL IMPERSONATION.
1. (A) A PERSON IS GUILTY OF DIGITAL IMPERSONATION WHEN HE OR SHE,
KNOWINGLY, WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD AND WITHOUT CONSENT, CREDIBLY IMPERSO
NATES ANOTHER ACTUAL PERSON THROUGH OR ON AN INTERNET WEB SITE OR BY
OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR PURPOSES OF: (I) HARMING, INTIMIDATING,
THREATENING OR DEFRAUDING ANOTHER PERSON; (II) TRANSMITTING UNSOLICITED
COMMERCIAL SOLICITATIONS OR UNSOLICITED BULK MESSAGES; OR (III) COPYING,
ACCESSING, DOWNLOADING OR UTILIZING A CONTACT LIST.
(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN IMPERSONATION IS CREDIBLE IF
ANOTHER PERSON WOULD REASONABLY BELIEVE, OR DID REASONABLY BELIEVE, THAT
THE DEFENDANT WAS OR IS THE PERSON WHO WAS IMPERSONATED.
2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION: (A) "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL INCLUDE
CREATING OR OPENING AN E-MAIL ACCOUNT OR AN ACCOUNT OR PROFILE ON A
SOCIAL NETWORKING INTERNET WEB SITE IN ANOTHER PERSON'S NAME; OR ACCESS
ING ANOTHER PERSON'S PRE-EXISTING E-MAIL ACCOUNT OR AN ACCOUNT OR
PROFILE ON A SOCIAL NETWORKING INTERNET WEB SITE; OR ALTERING OR CHANG
ING THE PROPERTIES OF AN E-MAIL, OR E-MAIL HEADER, TO APPEAR AS THOUGH
THE E-MAIL ORIGINATED FROM A DIFFERENT SOURCE WITHOUT THE EXPRESS
CONSENT FROM THE ACCOUNT HOLDER.
(B) "CONTACT LIST" SHALL INCLUDE ANY LIST OF THIRD-PARTY CONTACT
NAMES, ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, MOBILE PHONE NUMBERS, FACSIMILE
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09358-02-1 S. 4015 2
NUMBERS, E-MAIL ADDRESSES, INSTANT MESSENGER NAMES, OR OTHER INFORMATION
USED FOR CONTACTING INDIVIDUALS.
(C) "UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL SOLICITATIONS" SHALL INCLUDE ANY ADVER
TISEMENT RELATED TO THE AVAILABILITY OR QUALITY OF ANY PROPERTY, GOODS,
OR SERVICES OR TRANSMISSION OF A HYPERLINK TO A WEB SITE OR UNIFORM
RESOURCE LOCATOR (URL) WHICH HAS ANY MATERIAL ADVERTISING THE AVAILABIL
ITY OR QUALITY OF ANY PROPERTY, GOODS, OR SERVICES.
(D) "UNSOLICITED BULK MESSAGES" SHALL INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION OF AN
E-MAIL, INSTANT MESSAGE, OR SOCIAL NETWORKING POST THAT IS PUBLISHED TO
MORE THAN ONE UNIQUE RECIPIENT.
3. A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE PUNISHABLE
BY A FINE NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR BY IMPRISONMENT NOT TO
EXCEED ONE YEAR, OR BY BOTH THE FINE AND IMPRISONMENT.
4. IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER CIVIL REMEDY AVAILABLE, A PERSON WHO
SUFFERS DAMAGE OR LOSS BY REASON OF A VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
THIS SECTION MAY BRING A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST THE VIOLATOR FOR STATUTORY
DAMAGES OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS PER OCCURRENCE, COMPENSATORY DAMAGES,
AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF OR OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF. IF THE COURT FINDS THAT
THE DEFENDANT WILLFULLY OR KNOWINGLY VIOLATED THIS SECTION OR THE REGU
LATIONS PRESCRIBED UNDER THIS SECTION, THE COURT MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION,
INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD TO AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO NOT MORE THAN
THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
5. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "OCCURRENCE" SHALL INCLUDE EACH ACT
OF CREATING OR OPENING AN E-MAIL ACCOUNT OR AN ACCOUNT OR PROFILE ON A
SOCIAL NETWORKING INTERNET WEB SITE; ACCESSING ANOTHER PERSON'S PRE-EX
ISTING E-MAIL ACCOUNT, ACCOUNT OR PROFILE ON A SOCIAL NETWORKING INTER
NET WEB SITE OR CONTACT LIST; ALTERING OR CHANGING THE PROPERTIES OF AN
E-MAIL, OR E-MAIL HEADER, TO APPEAR AS THOUGH THE E-MAIL ORIGINATED FROM
A DIFFERENT SOURCE; AND THE TRANSMISSION OF AN UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL
SOLICITATION TO A UNIQUE RECIPIENT.
S 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeed
ing the date upon which it shall have become a law.

Peter Senese releases 10th Segment On Child Abduction Documentary Film Series

PETER THOMAS SENESE NARRATES FILM SERIES ON INTERNATIONAL PARENTAL CHILD ABDUCTION: RELEASES TENTH FILM SEGMENT IN 'CHASING PARENTS: RACING INTO THE STORMS OF INTERNATIONAL PARENTAL CHILD ABDUCTION.

In a recently released educational video segment concerning 'The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative', Peter Thomas Senese discusses how the policies established under WHTI substantially minimizes travel document requirements for children traveling abroad via land or sea, presenting significant opportunity for child abductors and human traffickers the means to criminally remove defenseless children from one nation's borders to another.

In the now completed new video segment, Senese presents how the detrimental issues concerning WHTI policy are outlined and offers solutions that must be implemented in order to help prevent this grave and growing problem.

'Challenges Connected To The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative' is the newest release in the now completed ten-segment educational documentary film series titled 'Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction' produced and narrated by best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese.

Mr. Senese, a child abduction prevention advocate and author of the critically acclaimed novel 'Chasing The Cyclone' stated, "It is inconceivable that in the severe and escalating environment of international child abduction and child stealing that exists today, the WHTI policy marginalizes children's safety by not requiring all individuals traveling abroad to use a passport regardless of their age. Harmonization of a passport mandate for all international travel will dramatically reduce the number of cross-border abductions immediately."

To view 'Challenges Connected To The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative' and the 'Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction' film series, please visit http://www.chasingthecyclone.com or http://www.internationalparentalchildabduction.info.

Child Abduction Prevention Tools: The Prevent Departure Program. View the Video

The Prevent Departure Program

I am pleased to share the completed educational video on the Prevent Departure Program is now available to view. The Prevent Departure Program may be one of the most useful tools to protect our nation's children from the injustices associated with being targets of international parenal child abduction.

Please visit the 'Prevent Departure Program' Educational Documentary located on the official website of Chasing The Cyclone. For more information of Peter Senese, please visit Peter's Official Website.

Florida Child Abduction Prevention Act Now LAW

It is official! Late this afternoon in Tallahassee, Florida Governor Crist officially signed the landmark ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ into law. The ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ will go into effect on January 1st, 2011.



Championed by Representative Darryl Rouson (D- St. Petersburg), the groundbreaking legislation that is now law will provide the Florida courts the responsibility to assess risk factors associated with a potential parental child abduction and further allows for judges overseeing high-risk cases of potential abduction to issue court orders that will prevent a child’s abduction from occurring.



Representative Darryl Rouson issued the following statement immediately following Governor Crist’s signing moments ago, “I am extremely pleased to announce that as of today, my dream and goal of creating law that would help prevent our state’s children from experiencing the nightmare of child abduction is now a reality. As abduction cases in our state and the nation continue to increase at alarming and unprecedented levels, it has become apparent that the combative way to prevent this epidemic from spreading was to create a sweeping law that will aid the courts in protecting our children. The ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ certainly does this. I would like to thank Governor Crist and all of my fellow lawmakers, including child advocate Senator Eleanor Sobel, for realizing the importance of this law. The significance of this new law in Florida should be a lesson for all states presently considering child abduction prevention legislation; it is critical to the children of every state to have preventive laws in place that will protect their well being. I would also like to thank Carolyn Ann Vlk, the astute writer of the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ for her tremendous leadership in writing such a sweeping law, and, I would like to also acknowledge Peter Thomas Senese for his substantial advocacy in support of our state’s new law. Today is a great day for the children of Florida.”



Senator Eleanor Sobel (D- Fort Lauderdale) previously stated, “Abductions are incredibly damaging and can haunt a child for the rest of their lives. This new law will keep Florida’s children safe from these potentially devastating experiences… abductions out of the state or the country can be extremely harmful to children. It is also nearly impossible to locate and return a child who has been taken to a foreign country. The safest and most cost effective approach is to simply prevent an abduction.” Florida’s new law does exactly that.



Peter Thomas Senese, the author of the highly anticipated book on international parental child abduction titled ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ and one of the lead child abduction prevention advocates who actively championed for the passage of the legislation into law added, “Child abduction prevention laws such as Florida’s breakthrough ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ are the lines of first defense against the pandemic of abduction sweeping our nation and the world. There are many unique components that make the legislation that Carolyn Ann Vlk wrote that Florida’s legislative branch and Governor Crist enthusiastically supported that is best measured by the unprecedented and historical act that this bill was unanimously passed into law. One of the unprecedented components of this law that uniquely stands out is that courts now have the opportunity to seek the assistance of the Department of Homeland Securities’ ‘Prevent Departure Program’ that is implemented via the Department of State in potential international child abduction cases. So in a certain sense, the Florida law, in my eyes, is actually the implementation of two laws: one is a new state law, and the second is for more awareness and use of a present federal law few individuals are aware exists.



“Now with the passage of this historic law, I hope that other states, including California and New York will update or pass new legislation that will protect our nation’s children from abduction. According to an extensive report on abduction trends Carolyn Ann Vlk and I recently released titled, ‘International Parental Child Abduction: Crisis In America’, our study’s findings demonstrated unequivocally an increased threat of abduction due to many tangible factors including economic hardship and increases in immigration population to our country. Child abduction prevention laws in all states are critical, and I was happy to play my role alongside the fine lawmakers in the state and one of our nation’s great child advocates, Carolyn Ann Vlk.”



Carolyn Ann Vlk, the author of the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ stated, “Words cannot express the myriad of emotions I am experiencing at this historical moment in Florida State history. My dream of creating a comprehensive legislation to protect children from abduction is now a reality. My heart is filled with gratitude towards the many people whom have made this moment possible. First and foremost on behalf of the children and families of Florida I would like to express my deepest gratitude to State Representative Darryl E. Rouson, District 55. I first met with Representative Rouson in 2007 and relayed my family’s story and concerns that my child was at risk of being abducted. I shared my insight that our current laws were lacking reliable risk assessment and preventive measures to prevent the unspeakable tragedy of child abduction. Representative Rouson immediately offered to help in any way possible and has been a staunch children's advocate and a driving force leading the way for Florida to set the precedent for other states to follow. Henry Moseley, legislative aide to the Representative has been an invaluable and constant source of information and assistance throughout this entire process. I feel honored to have worked with Senator Eleanor Sobel who was the Senate sponsor of our bill. Senator Sobel has had a long and illustrious political career and her advocacy on behalf of our state’s children was undeniable. Thanks also go out to her legislative aide, Nick Matthews, whose political knowledge and expertise was invaluable in this process. To all the Senators and Representatives who unanimously voted YES on this vital piece of legislation, I thank you.



“And to Governor Charlie Crist, thank you Governor, for recognizing that our children need to be protected and for taking this issue seriously and acting proactively to better protect our precious citizens.



“What began as purely a personal issue and an innate desire to protect my own child morphed into the ‘Florida Child Abduction Prevention Act’. As I researched this issue, I found it difficult to believe that so many children were either at extreme risk of abduction, or worse, had already been abducted. I felt that my advocacy needed to extend beyond making sure my own child was protected and thus I began the writing of this bill.



“I would also like to express my most sincere thanks to author Peter Thomas Senese, a successful chasing parent who has actively and tirelessly advocated along with me. Peter has traveled from Los Angeles to Florida on several occasions, providing important testimony before the State legislators. He substantially raised the bar of awareness and understanding on this issue before our lawmakers, and he raised the profile of how important and significant an issue child abduction really is. Florida resident, Captain William Lake, whose own daughter Mary remains criminally abducted in Japan, also provided invaluable testimony in front of State legislators. And due to Peter Thomas Senese’s assistance, Ken Connelly, who was abducted as a child also provided testimony in front of our policy makers. I also would like to thank my family, for the love and support they have provided throughout this journey, I am forever indebted.



“My greatest desire has been to significantly reduce the number of children that are abducted and I believe that will be achieved through proper risk assessment and the implementation of preventive measures within our family court system. Indeed this is a monumental day for the great State of Florida now that the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ is law.”

Florida Child Abduction Act Passes Unanimously Senate and House Floor Votes

Today members of Florida’s Senate joined the members of Florida’s House of Representatives in demonstrating great leadership by passing unanimously Florida’s groundbreaking ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ sponsored by child advocates Representative Darryl Rouson (St. Petersburg) and Senator Eleanor Sobel (Ft. Lauderdale). HB 787 will become law once Governor Crist signs the bill, as he expected to within the next few days.

On a House floor vote that occurred yesterday, HB 787 passed unanimously with 115 ‘Yeas’ to 0 ‘Nays’. Today, the Senate unanimously passed the legislation with 38 ‘Yeas’ and 0 ‘Nays’ votes.

Representative Darryl Rouson, who sponsored and guided the landmark legislation through the House of Representatives said, “Our children in the state of Florida have every right to be protected from any and all forms of abuse. The ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ will in fact protect our children from the abuse associated with the criminal act of child stealing. With an estimated 16,000 international child abductions alone in our country last year – a number that is growing at 40% per year - how could we as lawmakers not act expeditiously in order to protect our state’s and nation’s future: our treasured children? We simply cannot. It required a great deal of work, but today we now wait for Governor Crist’s signing of this bill into law. I say with great pride that the lawmakers of the great state of Florida realized the importance of this law and acted unilaterally for the best interest of the children of our state.”

Carolyn Ann Vlk, the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill author, stated, “Today is a wondrous day! What began as not much more that a mother’s dream is now almost a reality. When I began writing Florida’s ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ it was my greatest desire that my home state put into place child abduction prevention legislation that could be utilized as precedence for other states. As soon as Governor Crist signs the proposed legislation into law, we will have that ability. Words cannot adequately express my appreciation for the bipartisan support exhibited while working together in creating legislation to protect all children. This is a moment I have long awaited and showcases democracy at its finest. What an outstanding day for the children and families of Florida.”

According to leading experts and advocates who focus in the area of parental child abduction, prevention law is critical. Outspoken children’s advocate and author of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, Peter Thomas Senese, one of the bill’s lead advocates, added, “Child abduction prevention laws are a necessity and an integral part of each state’s ability to protect the best interests of their children-citizens who are at risk of abduction. Without a court’s ability to consider risk factors associated with a potential threat of abduction combined with the capability to act in ways that would prevent this crime from happening, the growing malignant plague of international parental child abduction that has silently swept through our nation will continue to increase. What is at risk as a nation is the disappearance of our most precious commodity: our children. And with international parental child abduction growing at approximately rapidly, laws such as Florida’s ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ will be our nation’s first line of defense against international parental child abduction. I suspect that many states that do not have preventive laws have now watched the great leadership Florida’s legislators demonstrated today. As a successful Chasing Parent who knows all too well the horrors associated with chasing the cyclones of international parental child abduction, I am deeply pleased in the knowledge that parents and their children who will come after me will benefit from the extensive effort put forth. No child or parent should ever have to know what it is like to have one parent attempt to steal and disappear with your child. This law will prevent much of this from happening. And I want to add that so much thanks must be extended to the amazing writer and spirit of the legislation, Carolyn Ann Vlk, and to Representative Darryl Rouson and his legislative aide Henry Moseley, Senator Eleanor Sobel and her legislative aide Nick Matthews, and the rest of the team that put their hearts, spirit, and best effort into guiding the passage of this what we expect to be an incredible law. Today is a great day for not only the children of Florida, but children our entire nation.”

Chasing Parent Captain William Lake, the father of Mary Victoria, who remains in Japan despite court orders seeking her rightful return stated, “ I am so pleased with today’s outcome in Florida’s Senate. It is my hope that through the passage of this law, children will no longer be deprived from the loving relationships of both parents. Unfortunately, too many children who are abducted come to believe that the left behind parent does not care or love them, when this is not true or accurate. No child should ever have to experience abduction and the denial of the other parent due to deceitful actions by the other parent. In my lobbying of this legislation, it was my desire to have a law passed that will protect innocent children from ever experiencing the unfair storms of parental abduction.”

If signed by child advocate Governor Crist as expected, HB 787 – The ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ will go into effect on January 1st, 2011.

Carolyn Ann Vlk concluded, “As the bill’s author, I would like to share with the people of my state that none of this would have been possible if it were not for Representative Darryl Rouson. He is a champion of our children. And Senator Eleanor Sobel acted in great ways to protect the children of our state. I want to thank each of them, along with their respective legislative aides, Henry Moseley and Nick Matthews, for all they have done.”

For more information, please visit:
www.floridachildabductionpreventionact.info
www.chasingthecyclone.com

florida Child Abduction Act Passes House Committee: Parents Of Over 200 U.S. Children Criminally Held In Japan Rally In D.C.

As Florida’s House Of Representative ‘Policy Council’ Unanimously Passes today the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill, the loving parents of over 200 criminally abducted children still in Japan are rallying this weekend in Washington DC in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Festival, urging Japan to release their wrongfully detained children.

If Florida’s lawmakers needed to see first-hand the importance of Representative Darryl Rouson’s sponsored ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill, all that is needed is for these policymakers to look into the eyes or listen to the voices of the fathers and mothers of ‘Bring Abducted Children Home’ who are uniting and rallying this weekend in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate their disapproval and anger over Japan’s refusal to return over 200 United States children-citizens – many their own children – who were criminally detained in Japan.

Perhaps the lawmakers who sat on child advocate Representative Llorente’s ‘Policy Council’ had considered the fact that Japan has never returned an abducted child to the United States, when they unanimously voted on advancing Carolyn Ann Vlk’s authored ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill.

Next up for this critical bill that if made into law would allow courts to consider risk factors associated with a potential parental child abduction and to order remedies that would prevent such abduction from occurring, is for the House’s ‘Criminal and Justice Council’, to vote on the bill this Tuesday, April 13th, 2010. The council is chaired by Representative Snyder, who is known to be a defender and protector of children.

Representative Darryl Rouson, a lawmaker with a long and impressive history of advocating for children everywhere commented, “I am extremely pleased with the leadership that came out of Chairman Llorente’s ‘Policy Council’ this morning. Today marks the fifth legislative committee that the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill passed unanimously. Most of us policymakers in Tallahassee are parents or grandparents – we realize just how important it is to create laws that not only will protect our children, but will also protect the parents of our children who act in the best interest of our children. Prevention law is critical – and all you have to do is look at Washington, D.C. today and hear the pain in the voices of all of those loving parents who have had their children criminally abducted to Japan. And not one of our U.S. citizens has been returned home? This is beyond unthinkable. My prayers are with these illegally detained children and their parents as they fight the necessary fight to bring abducted children home! And this is why we, the lawmakers in Florida need to continue our expedite action of making the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill a law.”

Peter Thomas Senese, the author of the critically acclaimed ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ and producer of the groundbreaking documentary film ‘Chasing Parents’ said, “I am very pleased to see Representative Llorente’s leadership today as the ‘Policy Council’ passed unanimously the landmark bill my friend Carolyn Vlk authored. This bill will prevent many child abductions in Florida from happening. And by Florida demonstrating leadership, new laws will be passed in other states that will prevent abductions from occurring there. And that is why we’re all doing what we’re doing: to protect our innocent children from experiencing the cruelty of parental child abduction. As Representative Rouson pointed out, all you need to understand the nightmare that occurs in most every case is to look at the ordeal the parents of ‘Bring Abducted Children Home’ are doing this weekend in Washington, D.C. I mean, how could we not have preventive laws in place when countries like Japan have never returned a criminally parentally abducted child regardless if the abductor is a Japanese national or not? We need these laws, and we need them now. Fortunately, Representative Rouson realized that and acted. Unfortunately though, if lawmakers and the public in general had understood the reality of these types of abduction crimes, I am certain preventive laws would have been passed earlier, and parents like my friend William Lake, a Florida resident, would not be in D.C. protesting Japan’s shameful behavior. And on that note, I want to urge the public to look for and support the members of BAC Home who will be rallying this weekend during the Cherry Blossom Festival. They really need all the support they can receive.”

The cases of international abduction are endless. Each is different, yet they all have common threads that tie them together. Two of these threads are that a child that has been criminally abducted is removed from the child’s jurisdiction of habitual residency. The other is that the loving Chasing Parents left behind in the wake of their child’s abduction have limited resources available to bring their children home. Examples of this include loving parent Nigel Lewis’ pursuit of his abducted children Jasmyn and Cody, or Captain William Lake’s pursuit of his daughter Mary Victoria, or Commander Paul Toland’s desire to see his daughter Erika, or Doug Berg’s vigilance and endless effort to reunite with his children Gunnar and Kianna. Look at the action of Chris Savoie, who attempted to rescue his children Isaac and Rebecca, or the tragedy that Richard Wood faces in dealing with his daughter Tytiana, and son, Byron’s return. Sadly, the list goes on.

Brett Weed, the Vice President of Children’s Rights Council – Oregon Chapter and a Chasing Parent left staring at Japan’s black hole said, “According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16: “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” Both countries involved in international cases of abduction are in violation of this article if uncompromising efforts are not made in the recovery efforts of an abducted child.”

T. Miklia, another Chasing Parent said, “How much longer will the loss of U.S. children be considered good international policy and an acceptable by-product of U.S./Japan relations?”

Carolyn Ann Vlk, the author of ‘The Child Abduction Prevention Act’ sponsored by Representative Rouson and Senator Sobel added, “My heart breaks in learning of the tragedy after tragedy that each of these and many other parents must endure in the face of having a child abducted, particularly across international borders. I can’t imagine what it would be like to wake up every day and not see my child, who was an at-risk child. I hope and imagine that the lawmakers here in my state of Florida are not only listening to the voices of the loving parents in our state who are urging for this critical piece of legislation to be made into law, but I hope they hear the voices and see the faces of our friends in Washington this weekend. Surely, they will come to realize that the issue of parental child abduction is global in nature and perhaps more complex and heartbreaking than they could ever imagine. I urge the lawmakers in my wonderful state to pass the ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill and share with the world that the crime of parental child abduction will not be tolerated in our state, and in civilized nations, for that matter. And finally, if you’re in Washington over the coming days, please take the time to visit the parents from ‘Bring Abducted Children Home’. They need your support. Their children desperately need your support.”

For more information on the Florida ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’, please visit www.floridachildabductionpreventinact.info. For more information on Bring Abducted Children Home, please visit www.bachome.org. For more information on ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, Peter Thomas Senese, or international parental child abduction, please visit www.chasingthecyclone.com.

peter Thomas Senese Gives Away Educational Film On Parental Child Abduction In Order To Increase Awareness.

‘Chasing Parents’ Filmmaker Peter Thomas Senese Demonstrates Commitment To Raising Awareness On Child Abduction: Offers DVD of Groundbreaking Film On Parental Child Abduction To Governments and Advocacy Groups Worldwide.

Peter Thomas Senese, the producer of the groundbreaking documentary film created to educate society on the grave dangers of international parental child abduction titled ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’ announced today that Pacifica TWST will make available to all government agencies, embassies, courts, and children’s advocacy groups worldwide complimentary copies of the upcoming DVD release of the enlightening and first-of-its kind educational film that provides substantial insight into the global epidemic of international parental child abduction.

Peter Thomas Senese is committed to raising awareness on the ever-increasing number of criminal parental child abductions that occur each year in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, it is believed there are over 10,000 international abductions that occur each year. This number may be significantly higher. It has been cited by various U.S. government reports that roughly 380,000 parental child abductions occur in the country each year, and that this number is increasing substantially each year. Tragically, many abducted children are never returned, and too many are lost forever.

A microcosm of this cruel and unacceptable situation includes that over the past four decades, and perhaps longer, it is believed that no child ever abducted from the United States to Japan has ever been returned home. This unbelievable fact is even that much harder to comprehend when considering Japan’s role as a strategic partner and ally of the United States. Formal protests led by Chasing Parents who have children criminally detained by Japan are expected in Washington, D.C. this week in conjunction with the arrival of Japan’s Prime Minister and the Cherry Blossom Parade. Japan’s policy to remain a safe harbor for their own nationals who commit child abduction while living abroad, or who enter their country with an illegally detained and criminally abducted child is at the forefront of concern for individuals who advocate the rights of a child, and Japan’s intolerable and inexcusable conduct as a kidnapping safe-harbor.

Peter Thomas pointed out, “My friend and Florida resident Captain William Lake is a loving father who has had his daughter criminally abducted to Japan by his former spouse – a country the child and the child’s other parent have no attachment to whatsoever. For nearly six years, Japan has refused to honor a court order issued by the United States – the court of habitual residency of the child - that has ordered for the child to be returned back to the United States. Captain Lake’s victimized child is one of at least 88 United States children, 38 Canadian children, and 37 European children kidnapped to Japan. Their Chasing Parents continue to attempt to deal with the child abduction black hole that is now known as Japan. It’s incredible, but Japan is not the only country that harbors child abductors. Countries from Asia and the Middle East including China and Saudi Arabia are just as bad as Japan, perhaps worse because of the pedophilia trade in these countries. But most of our citizens do not know this because it’s just so outrageous and incomprehensible. But outrageous and incomprehensible is the world of international parental child abduction. And this is why legislators need to pass abduction prevention laws immediately.”

Peter Thomas is a former Chasing Parent who has experienced what it is like to face the dire storms of having a child criminally abducted and detained across multiple international borders. The noteworthy author of the critically acclaimed upcoming release of the hardcover book publication of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ (publication date of June 1st, 2010) successfully reunited with his child after traveling on a long, costly, and complex journey that took him to the other side of the world.

“There is never a day that I do not realize just how lucky and fortunate my family is to have been reunited. However, I also know personally of the common pain and unbearable suffering felt by those parents who still search for their children. I know just how extraordinarily difficult it is for the vast majority of parents to safely rescue and recover their children because the systems that have been created to protect their child’s safety have not worked efficiently, and, the gaping hole in preventive child abduction law has in fact been the catalyst for the increasing number of crimes our innocent children face. So in my own way, I am trying to do something about it.

“I am pleased to announce that Pacifica TWST will make available ‘Chasing Parents’ to all institutions that serve abducted children and their targeted parents. In producing this film, my friend, and the author of the extremely insightful book on child abduction from the eyes of a child titled ‘Throwing Stones’, Mr. Ken Connelly, and I had several goals in mind that would serve the global community that has an interest in child abduction. The first goal was to provide insight and education on domestic and international parental child abduction in hopes to create dialog that would affect policymakers and courts charged with the responsibility to protect children. We also wanted to create an accessible blueprint or guide for those parents who might face abduction to turn to prior to, during, and post-abduction reunification. And finally, we hoped to provide insight on how to deal with your child after a successful recovery.

“Unfortunately, and to the best of my knowledge, there never has been comprehensive, informative, and instantly accessible material created that was supported by film and made instantly available for parents who desperately need assistance prior to, during, or after their child’s abduction. ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’ does just that, and the film’s content is fully supported online at the official website of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, which is scheduled for worldwide publication on June 1st, 2010.

“Hopefully, the dedicated effort we put forth will not only help parents prevent an abduction or assist in the recovery of a child criminally abducted, but I hope that lawmakers will continue to turn to the film in order to expand their understanding of parental child abduction so that they may demonstrate leadership in creating much needed child abduction prevention law. I know first-hand that the state of Florida’s lawmakers in now in session in Tallahassee have watched the film as my friend Carolyn Vlk’s skillfully crafted and critically needed ‘Child Abduction Prevention Act’ bill has moved swiftly through Florida’s legislative branch of government. So, in this sense, the film is meeting one of its primary objectives and that is to educate lawmakers responsible for creating policy to protect our children.”

The eye-opening film consists of seven segments: Part I – Introduction, Part II – Warning Signs, Part III – Abduction In Progress, Part IV – Parental Alienation and Child Abduction, Part V – Post Abduction Reunification, Part VI – Reform and Change.

The now finished production is for Peter Thomas Senese the completion of a four-part educational campaign he promised to create once his journey of chasing the cyclones of international parental child abduction ended. The main components of this campaign include the creation of a highly informative website on international parental child abduction: (www.chasingthecyclone.com). In addition, Peter Thomas’ ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, the critically acclaimed upcoming novel inspired by the author’s own experiences has been praised by reviewers as a story that will provide readers with insight on international abduction commencing from the well-planned criminal act to the inconceivable odyssey of an attempted child recovery. In addition, the groundbreaking documentary film ‘Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction’, offers insight into all aspects of parental child abduction. And it was Peter Thomas’ intent to participate in efforts to lobby and educate lawmakers so to create and implement child abduction prevention laws.

Segments of ‘CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Child Abduction’ are presently available for preview at ‘Chasing The Cyclone’s’ official website, www.chasingthecyclone.com. The producer points out that the documentary was made possible in part due to other Chasing Parents, children of abduction, and leading experts working in the area of International Parental Child Abduction’s eagerness to share their stories and perspectives.

Peter Thomas Senese Provides Insight Into Child Abduction To Florida Policymakers

Author, Filmmaker, and Children’s Advocate Peter Thomas Senese is a successful Chasing Parent committed to raising society’s awareness on the dangers that exist when a child is abducted by one parent from another. In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 400,000 parental child abductions occur each year, with an estimated 10,000 of these abduction crimes against defenseless children being international in nature. Tragically, many internationally abducted children are never returned. Too many are lost forever.

The arsenal of skillfully crafted and riveting tools the outspoken children’s advocate has created in order to educate others about the travesty of child abduction include the critically acclaimed upcoming worldwide publication of Chasing The Cyclone and the release of the now completed groundbreaking documentary film Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction. Both book and film will be released in multiple languages, including French and Spanish.

In commenting about the growing success of Chasing The Cyclone and Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction, Peter Thomas Senese stated, “When I wrote Chasing The Cyclone and when I produced the film Chasing Parents I did so with one goal in mind, and that was to be able to create thoughtful, provoking, and highly educational entertainment vehicles that would shake the tree and raise global awareness on the terrible and dangerous plight of innocent children and targeted parents who must unexpectedly race into some of the darkest, and at times, deadliest storms you could ever imagine once a child is abducted, particularly across international borders. But education in itself was not my specific goal – the real target was to be able to use these products in order to assist in changing the legal landscape for children and victimized parents. This meant to strongly participate in the dialogue of creating laws that would serve our nation’s children.

“International Parental Child Abduction is no joke. It is a growing worldwide epidemic that could be halted in its tracks if two critical actions unilaterally take place. Critically, the first is that preventive laws must be established that would enable local courts of jurisdiction the opportunity to assess risk factors and act accordingly before an international parental child abduction occurs. The second task is that all nations must be held accountable for harboring parental child abductors who steal children across international borders either as a direct breach of the Hague Convention or as a direct violation of laws originating from the child’s place of original jurisdiction.”

Peter Thomas Senese has been one of the main orchestrators behind the advancement of Florida’s lawmakers to pass the state’s Child Abduction Prevention Act written by advocate Carolyn Ann Vlk, and sponsored by Representative Darryl Rouson and Senator Eleanor Sobel. Presently, The legislation has passed unanimously through two Senate Committees and one House Committee. The bill is expected to be placed before to legislative councils for review in the coming week. Over the past month, Senese has provided members of both Florida’s Senate and House of Representatives with copies of Chasing The Cyclone, and, has directed many legislators and their aides to the Chasing The Cyclone website, where they have been able to view the specifically created educational segments of Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction.

“It has been very satisfying to know that the true intent in creating Chasing The Cyclone and producing Chasing Parents – which was to inform lawmakers on the real challenges of child abduction, and offer solutions that could reduce the number of crimes against our children is actually having the impact I envisioned and hoped for when I first set out to create these tools. Having spent substantial time in person or on the telephone with Florida’s policymakers and their legislative aides, it is truly gratifying to learn that people are paying attention to the works I have created. And it is most pleasing to see the number of online viewers based in Tallahassee who have spent time watching the educational documentary film I and Ken Connelly – who was a victim of abduction and is one of our lead advocates on this bill – have created. And though we know we, along with Captain William Lake and Carolyn Ann Vlk all know we have a long way to go and a short time to get there before this bill becomes law, it is satisfying to know that my efforts may be making a difference. And make no mistake, the goal is high: It is to create law that will protect our children.”

Carolyn Ann Vlk, Florida’s Child Abduction Prevention Act and chief architect added, “The assistance of Peter Thomas Senese, the author of the critically acclaimed Chasing The Cyclone, and the producer/narrator of Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms of International Parental Child Abduction, to bring this legislation to the forefront of Florida’s legislators has been immeasurable. Peter Thomas’ professionalism, dedication, organization, commitment, and skills as a writer, speaker, filmmaker, and advocate has had a far-reaching effect. Whether it was sending a vast number of Florida’s lawmakers copies of ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, or directing them to view the documentary film on abduction, ‘Chasing Parents’, or creating the bill’s website, or flying into Tallahassee to speak before our legislative government, or paying for airline tickets so other advocates can petition our Senators and Representatives, Peter Thomas Senese has been open, fully committed, and unselfish. His willingness to share his personal story as that of a chasing parent while recovering his own child has touched the hearts of many, including the legislators he has met or communicated with. I am eternally grateful for his dedication, his ability to educate our lawmakers by providing them with copies of Chasing The Cyclone and creating the documentary Chasing Parents – all have played a significant role in creating further understanding for our lawmakers. I deeply respect his commitment to assist with the implementation of a law that will prevent other families from experiencing the tragedy of child abduction. Peter Thomas Senese’ impact has been far reaching.

The Author of Throwing Stones, the landmark book on child abduction written from the eyes of an abducted child, Mr. Ken Connelly stated, “Peter Thomas Senese, is a Chasing Parent who unexpectedly entered the world of international parental child abduction. However, working through The Hague Courts, Peter successfully reunited with his child. The obstacles he faced were extraordinary, but Peter Thomas Senese did what he needed to in order to protect his son, and bring him home. When considering the remarkable act of reunification, what stands out just as impressive is how Peter Thomas Senese, realizing just how fortunate he and his own son were, decided to try and make a difference for others by educating society on the dangers and difficulties all parties face when a parental child abduction occurs. So he has created several valuable tools for other parents that presently are or may one day have to deal with parental child abduction. This includes writing the powerful and impactful book Chasing The Cyclone penned under Peter Thomas, and which I highly recommend. In producing CHASING PARENTS: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction, Peter consulted with me on numerous occasions with respect to all aspects of this film, including the perspective and needs of a child who was abducted. It was out intent to be able to increase the public’s understanding on abduction, and help change the legal environment responsible for overseeing the best interest of children.”

Peter Thomas Senese, the father who dropped everything and chased into the cyclones of abduction and after his own child said, “If you are a parent chasing after your child, you must know hope, know faith, and allow the love you have for your child or children to fuel you. And never, never give up in the belief that you will bring your child home.”

Chasing The Cyclone, the thrilling, gut-wrenching, and gripping love story of a father and his son, penned under Peter Thomas, and praised by critiques as a book all loving parents or individuals who hope to have children must read, will be released in hardcover wherever books are sold on June 1st, 2010. Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction, the documentary film on international parental child abduction, will be released in late June, and will be made complimentary of charge to all courts, legislators, and children advocacy organizations involved with child abduction courtesy of Pacifica TWST.

For more information please visit www.chasingthecyclone.com