Amber Alert launch campaign to recognize domestic abuse; "Key reason" kids run away
Today, on the International Day of Missing Children, Amber Alert Europe is launching a campaign aimed at protecting children from domestic abuse - “one of the key reasons why children run away and go missing in Europe.” The campaign aims to help grown-ups around children in trouble recognize the signs of abuse, reach out to the child, and find appropriate help.
According to Amber Alert Europe, thousands of children disappear every year after fleeing an unsafe situation at home. “Children who experience violence, abuse, neglect, or coercive control at home may not be able to speak up for themselves,” the organization said. “But the adults in their life, teachers, coaches, neighbors, youth workers, and family members are often in the best position to notice that something is wrong.”
The campaign is titled Home Should Be Safe, or Thuis hoort veilig te zijn in Dutch. The campaign lists five possible signs of domestic abuse that children may show: sudden changes in behavior, unexplained injuries, being constantly on guard, fear or reluctance to go home, and difficulty expressing their feelings or talking about their home life.
A missing child is often the final chapter of a much longer story, Amber Alert Europe chairman Frank Hoen said. Adults recognizing the signs early can prevent a child from reaching the breaking point and running away. If something does not feel right, trust that feeling and reach out to the child, he said.
The campaign launches today in 20 countries and 14 different languages.
Amber Alert Europe is a European network dedicated to finding missing children and collaborates with police services, governments, and aid organizations. In the Netherlands, the Amber Alert is the highest possible alarm for a missing child. The police issue an Amber Alert when they fear that the child’s life is in danger.
