(HCCH) This is the fifth statistical study to look into the operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This study concerns all applications received by Central Authorities in 2021. The Regional Report is the second part of the Study, following the Global Report. The Regional Report analyses region-specific data from the European Union, Latin American and the Caribbean, and Asia Pacific States.  Read More

April 2022 (ICMEC)  Millions of children around the world—accompanied and unaccompanied—have been forced to migrate or displaced within their countries. Their lack of maturity and education, as well as vulnerabilities related to their ongoing physical and psychological development, predispose them to an increased risk of exploitation and to going missing prior to, during, and after their migratory journeys. With this publication, we hope to provide even greater insight into the ongoing and ever-evolving issue of child migration and the risks children face throughout their journeys.  ICMEC aims to encourage cross-sector, cross-industry collaboration and engagement; promote ongoing training and education of healthcare professionals, educators, border personnel, and other key stakeholders; and encourage the provision of safe spaces for children regardless of their migrant status to ensure their basic rights are being upheld. With the proper resources, partnerships, and tools in place, migrant children will have a better chance of living healthier and safer lives. Read More

All ICMEC resources are applicable to children with different abilities and needs.  Some resources are written to address specific vulnerabilities of children with commuication or psychosocial disabilities, in particular Austistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).  These research-informed resources were compiled by trusted child protection partners such as NCMEC (US), NAS (US), NSPCC (UK), SWGfL (UK), and INEQE (UK).Read More

(ICMEC, HCCH) This is the fourth research study to look into the operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This study concerns all applications received by Central Authorities in 2015 and will use the findings of previous studies of 1999, 2003 and 2008 to provide an analysis of statistical trends over a 16-year period.Read More

(ICMEC, HCCH) This is the fourth research study to look into the operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This study concerns all applications received by Central Authorities in 2015 and will use the findings of previous studies of 1999, 2003 and 2008 to provide an analysis of statistical trends over a 16-year period.Read More

(ICMEC, HCCH) This is the fourth research study to look into the operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This study concerns all applications received by Central Authorities in 2015 and will use the findings of previous studies of 1999, 2003 and 2008 to provide an analysis of statistical trends over a 16-year period. (This is a provisional edition, pending the completion of the French version.)Read More

(ICMEC) The purpose of the Photo Distribution Framework is to explain the role a photo distribution strategy plays in engaging stakeholders, including media and the public, in the search for a missing child, and to clarify the difference between a photo distribution system and a rapid emergency child alert system. Distributing a missing child's photo along with key information about him or her can significantly increase the chances of a child's safe recovery.Read More

(AMBER Alert Europe) This document is intended to guide an investigators thought process to enable them to reach a reasonable judgement about the risk of harm present in any missing person case.Read More

(Return US Home) The following questions make use of the early identification risk factors for a Parental Child Abduction and can help to identify where a credible risk of abduction may exist. This list of questions is not exhaustive, but will help the court to determine when abduction prevention language should be utilized to protect the child’s right to safe and continual access to both parties. If one or more risk factors are identified, appropriate abduction prevention language should be utilized (see, Judicial Options for the Prevention of Parental Child Abduction and Parenting Plan Travel Restraint Examples).Read More

(Return US Home) Return US Home developed these tiered options for PCA prevention language to aid U.S. attorneys and judges in protecting a child under their purview from a potential abduction.  The document may be used alone, but is intended to be informed by a review of evidence and in consultation with the identifiable risk factors questionnaire and the Parenting Plan Travel Restraint Examples.Read More

(Return US Home) This document provides examples of parenting plan travel restraints that have been reviewed by the appropriate U.S. Federal authorities for optimal language that may be acceptable for a Prevent Abduction Program request.Read More

(ICMEC) This report was undertaken within the scope of a grant from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Moscow, with a focus on the issues of missing and exploited children. This report reviews current legislation, policies, and best practices related to missing children in six countries: Belarus, Canada, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United States. While not representative of a single region, ICMEC reviewed legislation, policies, and practices in Russia and the United States (per the terms of the grant) along with a sampling of countries nearby to each, including post-Soviet countries and others, in an effort to review a variety of approaches and possible scenarios. The report contains country-specific information – including legislation, policies, and practices – along with a gap analysis and recommendations for developing and strengthening existing mechanisms in each of these countries.Read More

(ICMEC, AMBER Alert Europe) This 14-point framework for implementing rapid emergency child alert systems is to be used in conjunction with other protocols and procedures designed to support the rapid recovery of missing children.Read More

(ROCIT) This brochure aims to share information on how Internet resources can help lost children to find their way home, and how the adults who are searching for them can use digital tools to help recover the lost child quickly.Read More

(ROCIT) Basic recommendations for what to do in case a child goes missing, and tips to help prevent children from going missing, are useful to any parent – even those who do not believe that their child could ever be affected.Read More

(ICMEC) This report, the second in the series, reviews current legislation, policies, and best practices related to missing children in ten Southeast Asian countries, as determined by their membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (also referred to as Lao PDR or Laos), Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This report contains a regional review and country-specific information – including legislation, policies, and practices – along with a gap analysis and regional recommendations for developing and strengthening existing mechanisms concerning missing and abducted children in Southeast Asia.Read More

(Missing Children Europe) Safeguarding Unaccompanied Migrant Minors from Going Missing by Identifying Best Practices and Training Actors on Interagency Cooperation (SUMMIT) launched in October 2014 within the European Union. The objective of the SUMMIT project is to reduce the number of unaccompanied children who go missing. The project addresses how disappearances of  unaccompanied children are addressed in different EU Member States, and promotes successful strategies and behaviors related to prevention and response.Read More

(ICMEC, ROCIT) Learn more about how smartphones can help when a child is lost.Read More

(ICMEC) In an effort to facilitate more efficient investigation, management, and resolution of missing children cases, a robust, national missing child framework is necessary.Read More

(Barnardo’s) Research focused on running away, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and youth homelessness has documented an intrinsic relationship between running away and CSE. However, a review of this research literature reveals that none of the research projects addressing running away have explored the issue of CSE in depth. Previous research has started to explore the relationship between running away and CSE but there is need for research that explicitly explores this relationship. In recognition of this gap in learning, Barnardo’s and Paradigm Research developed a proposal to undertake an action research study to address the relationship between running away and CSE in England. This report presents their findings.Read More

(European Commission - Directorate-General for Justice) This study was conducted by Ecorys on behalf of DG Justice from July 2012-June 2013 to: (1) collect and analyze data, and develop the basis to improve the mechanisms involved when children go missing in the EU Member States; and (2) use and build on existing data and indicators to obtain sustainable, comparable data and indicators on missing children in all EU Member States covering 2008-2010 (and 2011 where available).Read More

(Hague Conference on Private International Law) This report analyzes global results compiled by the third statistical survey into the operation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction conducted by the Centre of International Family Law Studies at Cardiff University Law School in collaboration with the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.Read More

(Hague Conference on Private International Law) This report analyzes regional results compiled by the third statistical survey into the operation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction conducted by the Centre of International Family Law Studies at Cardiff University Law School in collaboration with the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.Read More

(ICMEC, UNICEF) This report is part of UNICEF’s project on “Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation in Central America.” This report is aimed at assessing the current status of the protection of children from going missing/being abducted in Central America.Read More

(Hague Conference on Private International Law) This report analyzes national results compiled by the third statistical survey into the operation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction conducted by the Centre of International Family Law Studies at Cardiff University Law School in collaboration with the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.Read More

(Hague Conference on Private International Law) Following the March 2010 International Judicial Conference on Cross-Border Family Relocation, the Hague Conference on Private International Law published a special edition of The Judges’ Newsletter on International Child Protection. This edition of The Judges' Newsletter recaps the conference proceedings.Read More

(NCMEC) The Good Practice Report on Access draws from previous investigations into the procedures and systems in 13 Contracting States to the 1980 Hague Convention - Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America - and also from additional reports specifically on enforcement in the following 8 Contracting States to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: Australia, England and Wales, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden.Read More

(NCMEC) The Good Practice Report on Enforcement draws from previously commissioned reports on enforcement in 9 jurisdictions - Australia, England and Wales, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States of America - as well as from previous investigations into the procedures and systems in 6 Contracting States to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: Australia, England and Wales, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States of America.Read More

(NCMEC) This resource guide presents practical, detailed information about preventing international parental child abduction.Read More

(ICMEC) In October 2005, representatives from 20 countries, the United Nations, EU institutions, and the Council of Europe participated in the first‐ever U.S./European Summit on Missing and Exploited Children. This report is a summary of those proceedings.Read More