NCJ Number
118218
Date Published
1988
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This report, authored by the Attorney General's Advisory Board on Missing Children, focuses on four key issues: the role of the private sector, coordination of Federal programs and policies, parental kidnaping, and families of missing children.
Abstract
Nonprofit organizations contribute to the challenge of solving the problem of missing and exploited children through various activities, including locator services, family support, and community education. However, many nonprofit organizations are characterized by a lack of institutional professional discipline and organizational sophistication. The business sector contributes to missing and exploited children efforts through three primary media: photo distribution, contribution of inkind goods and services, and financial assistance. While the responsibility for investigating missing and exploited child cases rests at the State and local levels, Federal agencies should support their efforts by coordinating different agencies' programs, increasing public awareness, providing training and education, collecting and disseminating information, and establishing national policies. However, coordination of Federal programs in this area has remained elusive. The section on parental abductions discusses existing State criminal custodial interference laws and the argument over whether parental kidnaping should be made a Federal offense. In terms of services for families of missing children, the Advisory Board considered a number of issues: treatment strategies to deal with the psychological consequences of abduction and sexual exploitation for all parties involved, family reunification, expansion of the role of nonprofit organizations in aiding families, and education and prevention programs. 3 appendixes