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Abstract

Around the world, an increasing number of married couples have at least one person who is not a citizen of their spouse’s country. The global growth in transnational families has necessitated the development of international legal agreements to address issues that have arisen upon the dissolution of these relationships. Of particular note to feminist scholars has been the issue of domestic violence in these relationships and how these circumstances are addressed under international agreements such as the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. In 2013, Japan became the last of the major industrialized countries to sign on to the Hague Convention. This comparative, case-based policy analysis centers concerns about domestic violence in the development and implementation of the Hague Convention in Japan and the United States. Although Japan has a much shorter legislative history regarding domestic violence (DV), it has taken a much stronger position about DV in its adoption of the Hague Convention. Based on this analysis we propose methods for addressing domestic violence in Hague cases in both countries that prioritize the safety needs of abused mothers and their children.

Author Biography

Sawako Yamaguchi, PhD, is the instructor at Chukyo University. Her research focuses on violence against women. She has authored DV Programs in the USA to Prevent Reoccurrence, and co-authored Social Welfare and Gender: Gender Studies and Peace Studies: Feminism and Social Welfare Policy: Well-being of Children at Home: Guide to Women’s Studies: Single Mothers’ Livings and Social Welfare Policy. The author received financial support for the research from the Takemura Fund for Feminist Research for Gender Equality and Justice.

Taryn Lindhorst, PhD, LCSW, is the Carol LaMare Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on violence against women, health and policy implementation. She has published over 45 journal articles on domestic violence and other women's issues and co-authored two books: Women and Children Seeking Safety: A Study of Domestic Violence and the International Hague Convention and The Safety Net Health Care System: Practice at the Margins.

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