NCJ Number
133815
Date Published
1991
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Statistical information is provided on the number of reported missing children in the New York State Missing Children register for 1990.
Abstract
Reports of missing children increased 47 percent since the inception of the Register in 1985. Cases of stranger abduction are statistically rare despite the publicity generated by their occurrence. In 90 percent of reported cases, the missing children are classified as runaways. Although the majority of these runaways return home voluntarily, both the causes and consequences of running away suggest that these youths are particularly at risk. A National Center for Missing and Exploited Children study estimates that over 40 percent of youth run away to escape from the physical abuse or sexual abuse they experienced in their home. In addition, they become perpetrators or victims of crime while missing. Information gathered by the Register and Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse on the characteristics, categories, circumstance of recovery of reported cases in New York City and in the rest of the State allows a better understanding of the problem and an appropriate response to the needs of these children. 8 figures and 11 tables