Child abduction

In Austria , child abduction as the removal of a person under the age of sixteen is punishable as child abduction in accordance with Section 195 StGB . In addition to confiscation , keeping the child hidden is also punishable . The child is removed himself from the guardians, so, too, is aid strips for this offense.

The perpetrator can only be prosecuted at the request of the legal guardian. If the kidnapped child has already reached the age of 14, authorization from the youth welfare agency is also required for prosecution .

The offender is not to be punished if he has reason to believe that the physical or mental well-being of the child would otherwise be seriously endangered and the offender informs the security authorities, youth welfare authorities or the legal guardian of the child's whereabouts without undue delay. This is a justification .