Understanding the Stats and Solutions for Child-Kidnapping in The United States  By Tara Jones

 NISMART (National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Throwaway Children) is an organization that collects data for missing children. Let’s take a look at what their statistics are revealing to us about Kidnapping and the precautions we can take to ensure safety for potential victims. Every minute and a half a child goes “missing” in the United States . “Missing” can mean anything from abduction to a runaway. 

Why do Children Go Missing?

The majority of missing children are not caused by kidnappings, but rather, volunteer riddance by family or the running away of the child. There are many reasons that children get kidnapped. The first is for rape or sexual exploitation.The second reason may be to be raised as the abductors own in wanting a child to fulfill a missing role in their family or lives. The last category may involve additional child exploitation purposes such as crimes like a ransom or child trafficking.        

Where are Kids Being Kidnapped? 

Kidnapping by strangers usually occurs in public areas. 71% of abductions occur in public areas such as malls, stores or out in nature but very few happen in schools.                                                                                                                                            

Who is Kidnapping Children?

The major majority of kidnapping cases are by a parent. In cases where family members are the abductors, it is by in large one of the two disputing parties in a child custody case. Of the non-family member abductions, 53% are committed by people who personally know the child and/or the family of the abducted child according to NISMART.

Profiling the Kidnapping Stranger:

The general formula for strangers who abduct children are usually men who have temporary contact with a child, such as doing work for the family or briefly encountering the child.  75% of non-family abductions are committed by males, most likely aged around 27 years old. the man usually lives with family, primarily his parents and his work is usually underemployed, unemployed or underachieving.

Who is getting Kidnapped:

75% of all kidnapping victims are females around 11 years old. The vast majority of Kidnapping victims 15-30 years old and unmarried.

Good News in Stats:

Though the stats paint a grim picture of kidnapping in the United States there are some good statistics as well. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children only 1/10,000 children end up being found dead. The recovery rate for child abduction victims is at a staggering 97% in the United States with rates increasing because of technological advancements. 

Some Everyday Solutions to Prevention.

Looking at the statistics, people who are known or have access to your children in the home are the most likely to kidnap so the best solutions are to focus on good communications between the parents and by keeping custody battles amicable. However, in the cases of strangers kidnapping children, there are still preventative measures one can take.

Talk to your children about not speaking to strangers or following anyone you don’t know into private areas such as houses or cars. Encourage your child to vocalize their fears if necessary such as if the stranger is forcing them into a private sphere make sure to let your child know that it is necessary to scream and call attention to oneself. There is a story of a woman who was lured into a car who simply opened the car door while her kidnapper was driving and refused to shut it, gaining the attention of a local policeman who was able to then assist in saving her. Remember the goal is to be seen by bystanders and the kidnappers are paranoid about being caught as is. These measures will help to intimidate them from being able to commit the kidnapping. One good precedent to set with your children is to have a secret word or phrase to send with any trusted source who may go to pick up a child if the parents are unable, such as in an emergency. Because kidnappers sometimes fabricate an emergency for which to lure the child into a private area your child must check to see if the stranger knows you before trusting them. Your child needs to be reminded that some adults are to be more trusted than others, such as a firemen or authority figure like a school teacher or security officer. That way they can be sure to run to them instead of the kidnappers.                                                                                     

Teach your children to trust their instincts and air on the side of safety when in doubt. By validating your children’s gut feelings about uncomfortable strangers or scenarios you will empower them to defend themselves with good judgment. Make sure that your child knows to stand up to peer pressure that may lead them into dangerous scenarios and to reassure them that calling up you when they feel unsafe will not be met with punishment but rather, understanding. Make sure that you have safety guards up online preventing your children from going to inappropriate sites that may be used to lure them into communicating with a potential predator. By reminding your children that their information should not be shared with strangers such as ,your location or phone number and reminding them that some strangers prey on getting to know you for future abuse. Encourage your child to report to you if there is anyone that makes them feel uncomfortable for themselves or others.                                                      

Some Types of Tools for Anti-Kidnapping:

Home Security Systems, window and door monitors (that can function even if the internet or power goes out), stand-alone cameras and baby monitors that can function without the internet or power, GPS trackers, Phone Location Apps, Pre-set Emergency contact list set in a phone with automatic typed responses available for a quick send out.

Some of the Best Anti-Kidnapping Tech Tools of 2021 are AngelSense Kids, TickTalk and Tracki all voted in the “best of” category for anti-kidnapping technologies.