National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Alicia Kozakiewicz at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia (2015)

The Board of ICMEC with Sir Richard Branson and Eve Branson in April 2014

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1984 in the United States. Its mission is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. NCMEC serves as a critical resource for law enforcement, families, and the public to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization.

History

The formation of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children was inspired by several high-profile child abduction cases, including the disappearance of Adam Walsh in 1981. The widespread attention these cases received highlighted the need for a coordinated effort to address the issue of missing and exploited children. In 1984, Congress passed the Missing Children's Assistance Act, which led to the establishment of NCMEC.

Mission and Services

The primary mission of NCMEC is to assist in the location and recovery of missing children and to raise public awareness about ways to prevent child abduction, exploitation, and victimization. To achieve its mission, NCMEC provides a wide range of services, including:

• 24-Hour Hotline: NCMEC operates a toll-free 24-hour hotline (1-800-THE-LOST) for reporting missing children and sightings of missing children.
• CyberTipline: The CyberTipline allows the public and electronic service providers to report instances of suspected child sexual exploitation. This includes the distribution of child pornography, online enticement of children for sexual acts, and child sex trafficking.
• Photo Distribution: NCMEC distributes photos of missing children to law enforcement, the media, and the public to aid in their recovery.
• Family Support: NCMEC provides support to families of missing and exploited children, including counseling and advocacy services.
• Training and Technical Assistance: The organization offers training programs for law enforcement, educators, and child-serving professionals on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child abduction, sexual exploitation, and victimization.

Partnerships and Collaboration

NCMEC collaborates with various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private sector partners, to enhance its ability to find missing children and combat child exploitation. It works closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshals Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Department of Homeland Security, among others.

Impact

Since its inception, NCMEC has played a crucial role in the recovery of thousands of missing children. It has also significantly contributed to the fight against child exploitation through its CyberTipline and other initiatives aimed at reducing the distribution of child pornography and the online enticement of children.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its successes, NCMEC faces ongoing challenges, including the increasing use of the internet to exploit children. The organization continues to adapt its strategies and develop new technologies to address these evolving threats.

See Also

• Child abduction
• Child pornography
• Internet safety
• Amber Alert