Child Abduction Prevention 3/29/2010
CHILD ABDUCTION STATISTICS:
Parental abductions and runaway cases make up the majority of missing children in the United States. In 2001 there were about 725,000 children reported missing, or nearly 2,000 per day. The vast majority of these cases were recovered quickly; however, the parent or guardian was concerned enough to contact law enforcement and they placed the child into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center – a computerized national database of criminal justice information. It is available to Federal, state and local law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies.
Each year there are about 3,000 to 5,000 non-family abductions reported to police, most of which are short term sexually-motivated cases. About 200 to 300 of these cases, or 6 percent, make up the most serious cases where the child was murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep.
SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS:
- Be sure to go over the rules with your children about whose homes they can visit when you’re not there and discuss the boundaries of where they can and can’t go in the neighborhood.
- Always listen to your children and keep the lines of communication open. Teach your children to get out of dangerous or uncomfortable situations right away, and practice role-playing and basic safety skills with them.
- Teach your children in whose car they may ride. Children should be cautioned never to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless accompanied by a parent or trusted adult.
- Make sure children know their names, address, telephone numbers and how to use the telephone.
- Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends and neighbors.
SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN:
- Always check first with your parents or the person in charge before you go anywhere or do anything.
- Always take a friend when you play or go somewhere.
- Don’t be tricked by adults who offer you special treats or gifts or ask you for help.
- Don’t be afraid to say no and get away from any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable or confused. Trust your feelings.
- If you are approached by an adult and you feel uncomfortable or confused, run away and yell for help.
- Don’t get into a car or go near a car with someone in it unless you are with your parents or a trusted adult.
- Never take a ride from someone without checking first with your parents.
- Never go into a public restroom by yourself.
- Never go alone to the mall, movies, video arcades or parks.
- Stay safe when you’re home alone by keeping the door locked. Do not open the door for or talk to anyone who stops by unless the person is a trusted family friend or relative.
For more information, please visit www.missingkids.com or call NCMEC’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-843-5678.
Fingerprint Your Child:
To have your child’s fingerprints taken, contact your local or state police departments to find out if they offer a child safety program which includes fingerprinting.
By phone, dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588