The Facts

Missing Children Statistics

A recent RoperASW survey (Nov. 2003) showed that having

a child abducted was the number two concern of parents and grandparents, second only to having a child abusing drugs!

The survey also showed that parents are very unaware of the precautions they can take to help protect their children, as well

as the resources available.

The following information contains the most up-to-date figures in several areas.  Figures that equate to real children! Children that are suffering because not enough is being done to help them.

The National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrown-away Children (NISMART II) released in 2002 concentrates on the years 1997 – 1999.  Note that most children reported missing are recovered quickly, however thousands still

out there need our help! 

n Child Predators commit crimes against children over 100 times

       before their first arrest.

n Convicted child predators commit crimes against children an

      additional 10 times after release and before their second arrest.

n 71% of all rape victims in the United States are under the age

      of 18.

n 34% of these victims are under the age of 12.

Internet Statistics

The Internet creates a new threat and allows predators to seek their victims without even leaving their home. According to a recent Justice Department Survey of 10 to 17 year-olds youths:

n Almost 1 in 7 had received an unwanted sexual solicitation

      in the past year! 

n 70% of these solicitations occurred at HOME with most of

      the remaining times occurring while online at a friend’s home.

49% of the youths did not tell anyone about being solicited!

Some of these predators invest considerable time, effort, and money in the process of seducing a child. These predators know about the latest music, videos, hobbies, and interests of kids.  They try to befriend a targeted child.  Slowly they insert sexual comments and content into the online conversations in an attempt to lower a child's inhibitions. 

Other predators almost immediately jump straight to sexually explicit conversations with children, often looking to meet face to face or exchange pornographic images.

Reports indicate that there is over 260 million web pages classified as pornographic, an 1800% increase from 1998 to 2003!

Click here to see your state's locate registered sex offenders.

Statistics

Children Reported Missing

n 797,500

n Equates to 11.4 for every 1,000

      of US Child Population

n Over 2000 per day

n 91 per hour

Estimated total number including unreported cases

n 1,315,600

n Over 3600 per day

Family Abductions

Child(ren) is taken in violation of the courts to deprive the caretaker of custodial rights

n 203,900

n 558 per day

Non-family Abductions

Child(ren) is taken by a perpetrator by force or threat of bodily harm

n 58,200

n 159 per day

n Over 6 per hour

n Nearly 50% were sexually

      assaulted by their abductor

n 115 of these cases were considered

      “serious crimes” entailing stereo-

      typical abduction where child was

      transported over 50 miles, detained

      overnight, held for ransom, or with

      the intent to keep the child, or in the

      case of 46 of these children, killed.

Runaway / Thrownaway

n Child leaves home w/o permission

      or is told to leave the home with no

      alternative care arranged

n 682,900

n 1870 per day