The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has developed three publications to support child abduction victims and their families.
Crime of Family Abduction: A Child's and Parent's Perspective (May 2010) dispels the prevailing misconceptions surrounding family abduction by providing a firsthand account of the psychological trauma and physical dangers often faced by children who are abducted by family members. Includes strategies to help parents searching for their children cope with the aftermath of the abduction.
Abstract | PDF | 
Spanish Abstract | Spanish PDF |
You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment (May
2008) presents the stories of several child abduction survivors and how they
have grown and developed since their traumatic experiences. Written by the
survivors themselves, the publication provides information to help other child
abduction survivors cope with their own experiences and begin their journeys
towards a better future.
Abstract | PDF |
 What About Me? Coping With the Abduction of a Brother or Sister (May 2007), written by siblings of children who have been abducted, provides information to help and support children of all ages when their brother or sister is kidnapped.
Abstract | PDF |
 When Your Child Is Missing: A Family Survival Guide (May 2010) provides parents with the most current information on, and helpful insights into, what families should do when a child is missing. Contains advice concerning what to expect when a child is missing, what needs to be done, and where to go for help.
Abstract | PDF |
Spanish Abstract | Spanish PDF |
Resources for Parents and Families of Missing or Abducted Children
 Local Law Enforcement. If your child is missing, immediately call your local law enforcement agency to make a report. Be prepared to give the law enforcement agency information about your child, including his or her name, date of birth, height, weight, and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you noticed that your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing. Request that your child's name and identifying information be immediately entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File.
 The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) was established in 1984 to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation, find missing children, and assist victims and their families. To access their resources, visit their Web site at www.missingkids.com or call NCMEC at 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678).
State Missing Children Clearinghouses in every State, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and the Netherlands, provide resources for missing children, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Most Missing Children Clearinghouses are located within a law enforcement agency. Although the specific services provided by each Clearinghouse vary, their primary areas of focus include networking, information dissemination, training development and delivery, data collection, and provision of technical assistance in cases of missing and sexually exploited children. A list of all State Clearinghouses can be found on the NCMEC Web site at www.missingkids.com. On the left side of the page, click on the tab for resources for parents and guardians.
 The Association of Missing and Exploited Children's Organizations (AMECO) is a membership organization of nonprofit local agencies in the United States and Canada that provide services to the families of missing children. They can help with resource referrals as well as advocacy, poster and flier development and dissemination, and aid to local law enforcement. Visit their Web site at www.amecoinc.org or call them at 877–263–2620.
Team H.O.P.E. (Help Offering Parents Empowerment) is a parent mentoring and support program for families of missing children. Made up of parent volunteers, Team H.O.P.E. provides mentoring services, counseling, and emotional support for both parents and other family members. Volunteers can be reached at 866–305–HOPE (4673). Visit their Web site at www.teamhope.org.
For More Information
For additional information about the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, visit the OJJDP Web site.
 News and information about OJJDP are also available by subscribing to the Office's JUVJUST listserv and the bimonthly online newsletter OJJDP News @ a Glance.
 Additional information about the topic of child protection and other juvenile justice issues is available from the Office of Justice Programs' National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Visit the NCJRS Web site to learn more.
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