Written Declaration: Introduction of an EU Missing Child

Alert

Kate and Gerry McCann

Sponsors: E McMillan-Scott, G Kinnock, R Angelilli, D Wallis, E Gebhardt

Brussels 10th April 2008

Madeleine McCann

Child Abduction

• Scale of the problem is uncertain –especially in Europe

• In US approximately 115 stereotypical kidnappings per year

• 40-50% of the children are killed• Death most likely in the first few hours• Speed of response critical to optimise

outcome- safely recovering the child

US AMBER alert• Introduced 1996 in Texas• Following abduction and murder of 9 yr old Amber

Hagerman• System based on the emergency weather alert• 120 systems

– 38 local, 53 state-wide, 29 regional

• Dissemination of key information to galvanise the public as quickly as possible– Interruption of broadcasts (TV and radio), dissemination

through media and wireless networks

• PROTECT Act 2003– National AMBER alert coordinator in Dept. of Justice

US AMBER Alert: Statistics

• 393 children recovered since inception– Over 90% since October 2002

• 80% of children recovered within 72 hours• Use of the alert decreasing

– 2005 275 alerts for 338 children– 2006 261 alerts for 316 children– 2007 227 alerts for 278 children

• In 2007:– 68 children rescued directly as a result of the alert– 16 children released safely after the abductor heard/saw

the alert

AMBER Alert: Examples 2007• Case 1: Dec 20 Portsmouth, Virginia

– 1 month old reported missing with care provider. After alert, 2 hospital workers recognised the child’s clothing and abductor was apprehended by police

• Case 2: Dec 19, Columbia, Illinois– 14 yr old female abducted at knife point, a motorist heard the

alert and recognised the vehicle, called police who pursued the vehicle across state lines rescuing child

• Case 3: Jan 26 Maricopa, Arizona– 6 yr old abducted by family acquaintance (sex offender).

Suspect heard the alert and released the child who was safely picked up by another motorist who recognised the child from the alert.

www.ncmec.org AMBER alert/success stories

EU Child AlertsAMBER type alerts• France 2006: Alerte Enlèvement National• UK 2006 Child Rescue AlertNational

(England/Wales)• Greece 2007AMBER Alert National

Non-AMBER alerts• Belgium NGO alert National

Alert Enlèvement: France

• Introduced 2006

• Used on 5 Occasions

• All children recovered successfully

Support for an EU Child Alert System

• European Commission– January 2007 Hotline (116 000) reserved for missing

children

– October 2007 Draft guidelines presented• Supported by Justice and Interior Ministers

• NGO’s– Missing Children Europe (21 NGO’s 15 EU countries)

– ICMEC

– PACT

Written DeclarationTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, Having Regard to Rule 116 of its Procedures

 A Whereas the abduction of a child is amongst the most

inhumane of crimes B Whereas commission of such crimes is increasing in

Europe and may involve transporting victims across state borders

C Whereas the prospects of saving the life of an abducted child decreases as time passes

D Whereas there is no Europe-wide alert system for child disappearances nor any local or national systems throughout much of the European Union

1) CALLS on member states to introduce a missing child alert system, the activation of which shall require the immediate supply to relevant news media, border authorities, customs, and law enforcement agencies, details of:

a) the missing child, with a photograph if available

b) information relevant to the disappearance and/or the suspected abductor(s)

c) a telephone number to call (116 000) and e-mail address

2. CALLS on member states to reach cooperation agreements with all bordering states to ensure the capacity to raise an alert rapidly across any relevant territories

3. CALLS for the creation of a common organisation to provide assistance and training to national bodies

4. INSTRUCTS its President to forward this Declaration, together with the names of its signatories, to the Council and the Commission

EU Child Alert-Suggested Criteria• The victim is a minor (<18 years)

• The health or life of the child is at risk– In the opinion of the law enforcement officer

• Information is available that may allow the child to be found with the help of the public

• Dissemination of the information is not likely to increase the risk to the child

• (Activated by law enforcement)

Content of the Alert

• Day, time and location of abduction

• Name of victim, clothing and picture (as soon as available)

• Vehicle description (if any)

• Suspect description (If any)

Format and Alert Duration/Frequency

• Poster-like info for TV, print media and internet

• Recorded voice message for radio, public transport, podcast

• SMS and MMS for mobile phones

• Short and focussed– 3 hours- 1 week

• Frequent– 15 minutes – single

depending on media

• Alert must be terminated

Cross Border Alerts

• Reasons to believe perpetrator crossed border

• Abduction/disappearance occurred close to border(s)

• Abducted Child is a foreign national

• Perpetrator is foreign national• Based on similar National

alerts• Groupings of Regional alerts

depending on geography / timing of abduction

Conclusion

• Child abduction is an horrific crime

• Alert systems save lives

• The public are a valuable resource in missing children cases

• The cost is minimal