Missing Children’s Day, May 25th 2008.
History
May 25th is designated as the International day of Missing Children. On this day people around the world celebrate the missing children who found their way home, remember those who have been victimized, and continue efforts to find those who are still missing. In 1983 the United States recognized May 25th as National Missing Children Day when it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan and each administration since has honored this day as an annual national reminder the missing children of America.
This day also marks the anniversary when 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school in 1979. Etan’s story received national coverage as his father, a photographer, and circulated black and white pictures of his missing son to media outlets.
Etan’s fathers efforts to inform the public lead to a nationwide recognition of the need for new initiatives and a commitment to reunite missing children with their families. Nearly thirty years have passed and the search for Etan continues.
Things you can do for May 25th
- Find and attend a child safety presentation or event in your area.
- Buy a safety book to read with your children. It can help you easily explain the importance of safety. Visit Powerful Parents Online Teaching Tools.
- Donate to a missing children’s charity.
- Research and remember those children who are missing in your area.
- Enroll your children into self defense classes.
- Read up on some of our statistics below and prevention tips (practice them with your children).
- Know what to do If You Child is Missing.
- Spread the word of the importance of child safety to your friends and family.
- If you have a website or blog promote Missing Children Day, May 25th.
- Prepare yourself with the Child ID Kit just in case of the event that your child goes missing (see promo below).
- Sign-up to receive AMBER Alerts and help in the efforts to find abducted children.
Some Important Statistics
• 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.
• 203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.
• 58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.
• 115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)
• Over 2000 children in the US are lost every day.
Source: NISMART-2: US Department of Justice, 2002.
Places to visit for more information…
preventinglostchildren.org
childwatch.org
missingkids.org
missingchild.wordpress.com
