On May 25, 1995, the 12th annual Missing Children’s Day, Former Attorney General Janet Reno announced the creation of the Federal Agency Task Force for Missing and Exploited Children. The mission of the Task Force is to coordinate federal resources and services to effectively address the needs of missing, abducted, and exploited children and their families. The Task Force does the following:
1) Serves as an advocate for missing and exploited children and their families.
2) Initiates positive change to enhance services and resources for missing and exploited children, their families, and the agencies and organizations that serve them.
3) Promotes communication and cooperation among agencies and organizations at the federal level.
4) Serves as the focal point for coordination of services and resources.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) mission is to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; help find missing children; and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
Child Abduction Response Team: CART
The U.S. Department of Justice is helping law enforcement agencies create comprehensive action plans in the response to missing and abducted children. Both Anchorage and Fairbanks have inter-agency CART teams made up of federal, state, and local agencies as well was local search and rescue organizations. If you are interested in creating a CART team for your community and would like more information, email us at alaskasar@gmail.com.
The following web-links are a starting point to help search and rescue personnel learn more about the prevention and activities available to help locate missing and abducted children.
Wireless Amber Alert – Stay informed
NetSmartz – An online resource for internet safety all ages.
YouTube Missing Children Channel
National Sex Offender registry
Alaska Sex Offender Registry
The following documents may help parents, families and search and rescue personnel understand better the scope of child abductions and how citizens can help prevent and respond to such these tragic events.
Recognizing When A Child’s Injury or Illness is Caused by Abuse
Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2006
Basic Facts on Child Abduction
National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children