Missing and Exploited Children's Program
The Missing and Exploited Children's Program
(MECP) conducts research, demonstration, and service programs;
provides training and technical assistance; and coordinates
various activities relating to missing and exploited children.
In addition, it supports the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children (NCMEC), which is the national resource
center and clearinghouse dedicated to missing and exploited
children issues. One of the Coordinating Council's statutory
responsibilities is to coordinate programs relating to these
issues.
Introduction/History
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(JJDP) Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-415), as amended by the Missing Children's
Assistance Act of 1984 (Title IV), established the Missing and
Exploited Children's Program in the Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The purpose of the Missing
Children's Assistance Act is to develop leadership and provide
funding support to address the needs of the Nation's missing
and exploited children and their families and to foster coordination
of programs and services for this population.
Recent and Planned Activities
International Parental Abduction. The
Subcommittee on International Abductions of the Federal Agency
Task Force on Missing and Exploited Children has been meeting
for more than a year to discuss issues, practices, and concerns
relating to Federal agency roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictions
in international abduction cases. A report detailing the findings
and conclusions of this Subcommittee and the recommendations
of the Attorney General's Policy Group on International Abductions
is being prepared and is scheduled to be submitted to the Attorney
General late this month.
Internet Crimes Against Children. In
1998, the Missing and Exploited Children's Program awarded $2.4
million to 10 State and local law enforcement agencies to develop
and implement regional, multijurisdictional, and multiagency
task forces to prevent and combat Internet crimes against children
(ICAC). MECP plans to award an additional eight to ten task forces
in FY 1999.
MECP, in conjunction with the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children and Fox Valley Technical College,
conducts two law enforcement training programs relating to Internet
crimes against children. Protecting Children Online is designed
to improve investigative skills and capabilities by focusing
on such issues as computer technology, crime investigation, legal
issues, case preparation, resources, and prevention. Protecting
Children Online Unit Commander focuses on practical investigative,
legal, and policy-related issues.
Publications. MECP publications
currently under development include:
- Issues in Resolving Cases of International Abduction (Publication
and Research Summary)
-
Cultural Competence
and Child Abuse Investigations (Portable
Guide)
-
Risk
Profiles
for Abduction
and Appropriate
Interventions (Portable
Guide)
-
Uniform
Child
Custody
and
Jurisdiction
and
Enforcement
Act
(UCCJEA):
Implications
for
District
Attorneys
and
Investigators (Portable
Guide)
-
Use
of
Computers
and
the
Sexual
Exploitation
of
Children (Portable
Guide)
-
Internet
Crimes
Against
Children (Fact
Sheet)
-
When
Your
Child
Is
Missing:
A
Family
Survival
Guide -
Spanish
translation
(Report)
Ongoing MECP Activities. In 1995,
MECP funded the second national incidence study of missing and
exploited children, which is building upon the information gleaned
from the initial NISMART study. Researchers are examining eight
distinct categories of missing children. Results of this study
will help policymakers and practitioners make more informed decisions
about safeguarding and protecting the Nation's children. Preliminary
results are expected late this year.
The Jimmy Ryce Law Enforcement Training Center,
a cooperative venture between OJJDP, NCMEC, and two FBI entities
(CASKU and the Criminal Justice Information Services Division),
offers training to law enforcement chief executive officers,
senior managers, and line officers to increase their awareness
of and response to missing and exploited children cases.
MECP offers monthly training programs to missing
and exploited children practitioners and professionals through
a series of courses that are designed to increase skills and
abilities, enhance service coordination and delivery, and improve
the investigation and handling of missing and exploited children
cases. These courses include Responding to Missing and Abducted
Children, Child Sexual Exploitations, Child Abuse and Exploitation
Investigative Techniques, Missing and Exploited Children, and
Child Abuse and Exploitation Team Investigation Process.
To Be Discussed at the Meeting
Council members will be updated on current and
upcoming activities.
Contact
Ron Laney
Director
Missing and Exploited Children's Program
202-616-3637 - phone
202-353-9093 - fax
Laney@ojjdp.ojp.gov - e-mail
