NCJ Number
125468
Date Published
1990
Length
28 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the scope and nature of the problem of missing and murdered children in America, this chapter suggests ways to prevent child victimization and lists resources for family members of victims.
Abstract
After identifying and describing the types of child abduction and murder, data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for the period between June 13, 1984 and January 7, 1988 cover runaways, parental abductions, relative abductions, and stranger abductions. The scope of the problem of child victims of serial killers is then discussed, followed by descriptions of some of the lures strangers may use to entice children into their control. The chapter offers 20 guidelines for parents in preventing the abduction of a child. Educational resources for children and parents are reviewed, and the importance of involving parents in protection and prevention efforts is discussed. Specific victim coalitions are described, and an appendix lists the names, addresses, and phone numbers of major local and national support groups for families of missing children. 13 references.