ness of the hotline remains low - according to dedicated Eurobarometer surveys, European efforts have improved awareness, but only from 1% in 2011 to 8% in 2012. Recent cases of missing children whose lives were at risk illustrate the need for better cross-border coordination between national authorities and private stakeholders involved in child alert mechanisms. Clear guidelines are needed to define how national systems work together when they need to.
The issue of international parental abductions needs particular European action. Questions regarding the child-friendliness of court decisions should be considered during revisions of the ‘Brussels II bis Regulation’ – which addresses cross-border Family Law conflict. Bi-cultural co-mediation has also proven effective, although finding trained mediators for international cases is challenging. EU action could address this need. Missing unaccompanied migrant minors also need urgent coordinated European action. Continued international coordination should include identification, registration and guardianship, focused on developing a life project for each child arriving on our shores. Concluding message Vice-President Reding stated at the 7th Forum on the Rights of the Child that “the effective and smooth functioning of the child protection systems is necessary so that children in the greatest need of protection do not slip through the net.” Children that go missing are in the greatest need of protection possible. Only continued European investment, including policy development and funding, can prevent them from slipping through the net.
Delphine Moralis is Secretary General of Missing Children Europe. She coordinates a European network of hotlines for missing children, and manages the Europol-chaired European Financial Coalition against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Online. Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for missing and sexually exploited children, representing 27 organisations in 22 countries. Its mission is to protect children from any kind of violence, abuse or neglect that is caused by or results from them going missing.
Section 3 - Realising the rights of the most disadvantaged children
Poor and inconsistent data impacts awareness and services. Follow-up is needed to roll out good practices identified in the EC Study on ‘Mapping, data collection and statistics on missing children in the EU’.
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