New child abduction hub launched
20 May 2014 10:14 AM
A
new purpose-built website providing crucial information and advice on all types
of child abduction is launched today by the charity Parents and Abducted
Children Together (PACT), with support from the National Crime Agency’s
CEOP command.
The
Child Abduction Hub, aimed at parents and professionals, will address some of
the myths associated with child abduction, whether linked to strangers, family
friends or a parent, and make available practical, common sense advice and
guidance. The site - www.childabduction.org.uk - is
launched just days before International Missing Children's Day (25
May).
The
creation of the hub follows the joint PACT and CEOP report 'Taken - a study
of child abductions in the UK', published in May 2013. It concluded there
was a need to revamp out of date 'stranger danger' warnings, after
findings showed that in 42 per cent of police reports studied, the abductor or
would-be abductor was not known to the child.
Operated by PACT, the Child Abduction Hub will be
supported by an advisory board of representatives from law enforcement, the
government, universities and charities.
Lady Catherine Meyer CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of
PACT, said:
"Our ambition for the Child Abduction Hub is to
radically transform the way in which our society protects its children from
abduction in all its forms.
“PACT has established that there is a crying need
for practical common sense and advice. This can only be done on the basis of
bringing together information, research and analysis in a ‘one stop
shop’, which the Child Abduction Hub is designed to
offer.
“We are delighted to be working with the National
Crime Agency's CEOP command and thanks to the incredible support from
players of the People's Postcode Lottery, we can rise to the challenge of
keeping our children safe."
Charlie Hedges, Manager of Missing and Abducted Children
at the National Crime Agency (NCA) said:
"Thankfully, child abductions are relatively rare
occurrences and the majority of children who go missing from home return
safely. However, there is still a need for parents to understand how they can
help keep their children safe. With continued analysis and research by both the
NCA and PACT, the Child Abduction Hub will provide the most up-to-date and
relevant information needed.”
The
new website comes in the same month as the re-launch of the Child Rescue Alert,
is a joint initiative between the National Crime Agency, the charity Missing
People and communication expert Groupcall Limited.
The
Child Abduction Hub and the Child Rescue Alert are two sides of the same
strategy: the hub deals with the prevention of child abduction and the alerts
focus on the rescue of abducted children
Today also sees the publication of new research by PACT
on child safety. 'Beyond Stranger Danger' supports the need for new
safety guidance and a one stop shop.