European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children (Missing Children Europe)

EU Legislative Interests

Missing Children Europe advocates for holistic and integrated child protection systems that respect the rights of children and responds to the needs of children (at risk of) going missing across Europe. Missing Children Europe actively follows all EU files that affect this priority, with a particular emphasis on the following EU legislations and policy frameworks: EU Strategy on the rights of the child Recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child EU Pact on Migration and Asylum EU Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography Victim Rights Directive EU Strategy on Victims' Rights Digital Fairness Act Regulation on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC as regards the use of technologies by providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services for the processing of personal and other data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse European Electronic Communications Code (Recast) directive EU Strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse Directive on the right to family reunification Regulation on the establishment, operation and use of the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) Regulation concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility Directive on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters (Directive 2008/52) Proposal for a regulation on the digitalisation of judicial cooperation and access to justice in cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matters, and amending certain acts in the field of judicial cooperation EU Strategy on the Training of Justice Professionals EU Strategy for LGBTIQ Equality EU Strategy for gender equality EU Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation EU Civil Society Strategy

Communication Activities

Missing Children Europe has undertaken, amongst others, the following activities: Coordination of 116 000 European network for missing children (e.g. capacity building, accreditation, awareness raising, etc.) (https://missingchildreneurope.eu/hotline-116-000/) Coordination of the Cross-Border Family Mediators Network (https://crossbordermediator.eu/) Production and contribution to a number of publications and positions, including (but not limited to): EU Consultations and calls for evidence Annual collection of data on missing children in Europe, leading to Figures and Reports from Hotlines for Missing Children and cross-border family mediations (https://missingchildreneurope.eu/annual-reports/) Supporting frontline professionals (workshops and trainings, cross-border family mediator trainings, other trainings upon request) Missing Children Europe Publication Hub section updated with relevant child protection resources (research, policy and news) (https://missingchildreneurope.eu/publication-hub/) Organizing high-level symposiums and conferences with and for EU policy makers Leading EU projects, including the CESAGRAM Project (grooming and its link to missing children), DATA Missing (enhance data collection on missing children cases), LGBTI+ Missing, Safe Borders, GuardUp, RADAR Project (Running Away: Drivers, Awareness, and Responses), and iCare2 project (better judicial cooperation and family mediation in international child abduction cases) (https://missingchildreneurope.eu/) Raising awareness and challenging narratives through campaigns, presence on social networks and publication of press articles Developing tools and trainings for members and other stakeholders, including Miniila application providing child-friendly information on services for children in migration (220 European organisations providing 400 services) (https://miniila.com/) and online course on runaways for educators, social workers and law enforcement (https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/running-away-drivers-awareness-and-responses) International Missing Children's Day (IMCD) through campaigns and publications (25th May)

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Missing Children Europe is an active member of multiple networks and unofficial coalitions, including We Protect Global Alliance, the Initiative for Children in Migration, Child Rights Action Group, European Child Sexual Abuse Legislation Advocacy Group, etc. In its day-to-day work, Missing Children Europe is closely cooperating with some other organisations, working directly or indirectly in the field of missing children, social affairs, justice, human rights, poverty, etc.

Organisation Members

Missing Children Europe, the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children, is a network organisation in itself. It represents 33 NGOs in 27 European countries (21 EU Member States + UK, North Macedonia, Switzerland, Albania, Ukraine & Serbia), all of them active in the prevention and fight against child sexual exploitation and/or child disappearance. An overview can be found on our website: https://missingchildreneurope.eu/about-us/