Missing Children Europe

Image of a child's face, looking off to the left

About

Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children connecting 31 grassroot organisations in 26 countries across Europe. We are all committed to the same goals: to prevent that children go missing, and to protect children from any violence, abuse or exploitation that leads to or results from them going missing.

Each year over 250, 000 children slip through the net in the European Union. Children go missing for a wide range of reasons, including conflict, violence, abuse and exploitation. Missing Children Europe strives to protect and empower children to prevent them from going missing, and to keep them from harm when they do go missing. Our primary thematic areas of work include Runaways, International child abductions, Missing children in migration, abduction by third persons, and lost, injured or otherwise missing children.

We work with professionals who assist missing children, children at risk of going missing and their families. We support them to better protect and empower children through research, training, advocacy, and awareness, facilitating exchange and cross-border cooperation. In all of these ways we contribute to more effective, holistic and integrated child protection systems across Europe.

Missing Children Europe coordinates the network of Cross-Border Family Mediators network and the 116000 missing children hotlines. The hotlines provide a free and 24/7 service to children (at risk of) going missing and their families. Anyone involved in a case of child disappearance (the child, a peer, a friend, a family member, carer or teacher) can call 116 000 and receive immediate emotional, psychological, social, legal and administrative support.