Missing Child in Canada - 1 of 60,000 a Year

In the USA, the number of missing persons reported to law enforcement increased from just over 150,000 in 1982 to nearly 900,000 in 2000. Today it's even higher.

The breakdown in cases is similar on both sides of the border although Missing Children cases in Canada, in 2000, were in the 60,000s.

Of the children missing every year, these are the stats:

• kidnapping by a relative - 49%


• kidnapping by an acquaintance - 27%


• kidnapping by a stranger - 24%

(source: United States Department of Justice)

Particulars of the abductions are as follows:
'Acquaintance' kidnapping - This segment of missing children has the largest percentile of teenage females. This form of kidnapping is more often associated with other crimes (especially sexual and physical assault). Acquaintance kidnapping has the highest percentage of injured victims.

'Stranger' kidnapping - Although this missing child segment happens to more females than males, both teenagers and school-age children are affected. This type of abduction is associated with sexual assaults (most often females) and robberies (most often males) and is the most likely to involve the use of firearms.

Just Teaching Your Kids About Strangers?

It's not enough!

The majority of children are abused, molested or exploited by people they know, or whom they do not consider strangers. (source: NCMEC)

Published statistics for 20 years was that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 5 boys are sexually abused in some form or another before their 16th birthday. In 2008 that has been amended to 1 in 3 girls!

The average victim of abduction and murder is an 11-year-old girl with a stable family relationship. The first contact she'll have with her abductor will usually occur within a quarter-mile of her own home. (source: www.connectforkids.org)

I really hate to scare you, or put notions into your head about the safety of your child or children, but this is a serious problem in our countries and I'm hoping that through awareness we can bring those numbers of missing children down.

Some Good News Now?

Here's a flicker of hope, and maybe how you can help personally...

The NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) reports that one out of six missing children featured in photo campaigns are found and returned home as a direct result of the photo being published to the public.

This is your call to action! A bonafide reason to look at the photos of missing children on a regular basis - you never know when you might see one and can help return this child to their home and families.

I found this new product announcement on another Squidoo page - DNA LifePrint.

After a little online research I found that hundreds of families, schools, communities and their support groups are ordering and using the LifePrint product for the children in their areas.

This home DNA kit collects and maintains a proper DNA sample that can be used for numerous medical applications but especially for positive identification, or tracking of, any missing child.

I also discovered that John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted, endorses this product, in fact it's the only product he endorses, and says this about the LifePrink kit, here:

"The DNA LifePrint Management Kit is the fingerprint for the future. With this simple, yet comprehensive kit, you can obtain a DNA sample of your child or loved one and safely maintain it for years to come. The up-to-the minute techniques of the DNA LifePrint kit are more reliable than outdated methods, such as fingerprints and footprints....DNA is the definitive way to identify beloved children - or adults - if the need arises."

Governer Arnold Schwartzeneger was on America's Most Wanted in April 2008 discussing DNA as well. This is a concept and technology whose time has come.

At less than $20 the DNA LifePrint kit is invaluable. I've ordered one for each special child in my life plus two extra to tuck away as baby shower gifts for the upcoming year.

You can read more about the DNA LifePrint here - where I found it.