Are child abductions up or are media paying more attention?

Acorn Staff Writer


Are child abductions up or are media paying more attention?


By Gregory Koteles


Acorn Staff Writer

A child missing. The police searching frantically for clues. Distraught parents hoping for the best and fearing the worst.


In the past few months, this nightmare has seemingly replayed itself over and over on television screens nationwide: 4-year-old Jessica Cortez, 7-year-old Erica Pratt, 5-year-old Samantha Runnion, 9-year-old Jennifer Short, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart––and the list goes on.


With so many high profile cases getting national media attention, it might seem child abductions have become pandemic in the past months. However, statistics from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), the organization co-founded by TV host John Walsh in 1984, actually indicate a decline in the number of "the most serious cases where the child was murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep."


About 200 to 300, or 6 percent, of the 3,000 to 5,000 non-family abductions reported each year, are of the magnitude now being reported on in the media, about half of which will result in a child’s death.


And while short-term, sexually motivated abductions are on the rise, based on current data provided by local law enforcement agencies around the country and cases submitted to the organization, the NCMEC estimates that the number of long-term kidnappings will only reach about 100 this year.


"While we have had a number of stranger abductions this summer, we strongly believe that these types of cases are actually declining overall," said Ernie Allen, president and CEO of NCMEC, in a July statement.


If the number of these types of abductions hasn’t risen dramatically, why then have the news reports about them dominated American media?


"August is definitely the dullest journalistic month of the year," said Rob O’Neil, chair of the Media Arts Department at Pierce College "And the media definitely have a tendency to make the world look a lot scarier than it actually is.


"As a teacher, I hate to use the term media frenzy, but before 9-11, it was literally all Gary Condit and Chandra Levy and shark attacks taking place on the East Coast. How many people are actually attacked by sharks?"


O’Neil also noted that the extensive coverage given to these cases could also contribute to copycats. As an example, he pointed out the skyjackings of the 1970s. When the newspapers began running the stories inside instead of on the front page, the number of skyjackings began tapering off.


"Every time we are faced with a high profile case that’s constantly making headlines, families are understandably frightened," said Allen. "But, they need to know these cases are very rare and parents can take measures to safeguard their kids."


The NCMEC also offers these safety tips for parents and children.


Safety Tips for Parents


•Be sure to go over the rules with your children about whose homes they can visit when you’re not there and discuss the boundaries of where they can and can’t go in the neighborhood.


•Always listen to your children and keep the lines of communication open. Teach your children to get of out of dangerous or uncomfortable situations right away, and practice role-playing and basic safety skills with them.


•Teach your children in whose car they may ride. Children should be cautioned never to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless accompanied by a parent or trusted adult.


•Make sure children know their names, address, telephone numbers and how to use the telephone.


•Be careful when you put your child’s name on clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes or bicycle license plates. If a child’s name is visible, it may put them on a "first name" basis with an abductor.


•Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends and neighbors.


Safety Tips for Children:


•Always check first with your parents or the person in charge before you go anywhere or do anything.


•Always take a friend when you play or go somewhere.


•Don’t be tricked by adults who offer you special treats or gifts, or ask you for help.


•Don’t be afraid to say no and get away from any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable or confused. Trust your feelings.


•Don’t get into a car or go near a car with someone in it unless you are with your parents or a trusted adult. Never take a ride from someone without checking first with your parents.


•Never go into a public restroom by yourself.


•Never go alone to the mall, movies, video arcades or parks.


•Stay safe when you’re home alone by keeping the door locked. Do not open the door for or talk to anyone who stops by unless the person is a trusted family friend or relative. Never tell callers that your parents aren’t home. Instead say that he or she can’t come to the phone and offer to take a message.


If a child is missing, the NCMEC recommends calling local law enforcement immediately and asking them to enter your child into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Persons File.


More safety tips and information regarding child abductions can be obtained by visiting the NCMEC’s Internet Website at www.missingkids.com.





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