An empirical framework for differentiating child abduction

Although child abduction is a frequently discussed area empirical research is scarce. The present study aimed to develop a model for differentiating child abduction. The objectives of the study were to examine: a. Behavioural patterns in child abduction b. Offender characteristics and c. the relationship between behavioural patterns and offender characteristics. Fifty cases, compiled from media accounts and archival sources, were content analysed and data subjected to Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), a non-metric multidimensional scaling procedure. Results revealed that child abductions could be differentiated on the basis of the child abductors motivation. Two distinct themes were identified: personal gain and sexual gratification. Further analysis identified links between these themes and offender background characteristics as well as type of child abduction. The implications of these findings are discussed.