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Starting January 13th - CBFM training for new members (online)

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Starting January 13th - CBFM training for new members (online)

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By CBFM training partner Centrum IKO
Thursdays and Fridays every 2 weeks over 4 weeks

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Today Missing Children Europe and its partners in the RADAR consortium, Child Focus, IAC, ITAKA Foundation, Child Helpline International and Liege University, announce the first European online course on runaway children launching in January 2022.

Every year, around 250,000 children are reported missing in the EU. Children and young people who run away or are pushed from their home or care institutions are the largest group of missing children across Europe. In 2020, young runaways made up 51.8% of the missing children cases reported to the 116 000 European hotlines for missing children.

Inaccurate perceptions of runaway children and misunderstandings around their behaviour lead to descriptions as 'attention-seeking' or a 'behavioural problem'. However, research shows that running away is rather a symptom of adverse childhood experiences, with themselves describing it as a means to "send a message that something is wrong" or to distance themselves from a difficult situation.

The stigma attached to running away acts as a barrier to accessing support. Misconceptions lead to inadequate responses and insufficient attention for runaways within child protection systems.

The course aims to improve understanding of runaways, equip professionals with the ability to detect and respond to behaviour, and encourage trust between professionals and runaway children upon their return.

It is a 4-week course welcoming law enforcement officials, social workers, teachers and educators, hotline and helpline operators, and other professionals.
The course is free with the possibility to upgrade to obtain a certificate. Pre-register today to reserve your place.
"Young runaways are often misunderstood and are approached with prejudice. The young people we work with ask that we really listen to their concerns and experiences. This course will equip professionals working with children at risk of running away to improve their ability to detect and respond to runaway behaviour. In this way we hope to prevent runaway episodes, improve overall reporting rates of runaways and of adverse childhood experiences and reduce the risk of negative experiences for runaways." - Aagje Ieven, Secretary General at Missing Children Europe
ENDS Editor Note:
The RADAR (Running Away: Drivers - Awareness - Responses) project aims to reframe runaway behaviour as an indicator of underlying adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect, mental health problems, or living with a family member with mental health problems and/or addiction. The project will raise awareness on the topic of runaway children through developing research, advocacy, trainings and toolkits as well as a Mass Open Online Course for professionals in relevant fields.

Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children, representing 31 grassroot NGOs in 26 European countries. Missing Children Europe coordinates the network of missing children hotlines available through the 116 000 number. The hotline is currently active in 31 countries in Europe.

For more information contact Musu Kargbo-Reffell

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Missing Children Europe To Launch First European Online Course On Runaways - Missing Children Europe

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Today Missing Children Europe and its partners in the RADAR consortium, Child Focus, IAC, ITAKA Foundation, Child Helpline International and Liege University, announce the first European online course on runaway children launching in January 2022. Every year, around 250,000 children are reported missing in the EU.

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Hotline 116 000 - Missing Children Europe - we will likely celebrate the anniversary together with MCE's 20th later in the year

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Late February/Early March - Annual data collection survey 116000 hotlines & CBFM

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Late February/Early March - Annual data collection survey 116000 hotlines & CBFM

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Review of survey questions Jan/Feb
Collection Feb/March
Analysis March
Writing April
Design May
Publication 25 May

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March - EC Justice call on judicial training and cooperation 

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March - EC Justice call on judicial training and cooperation 

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Mediation projects
Deadline May

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April - EU CERV calls on violence against children and child rights (tbc)

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April - EU CERV calls on violence against children and child rights (tbc)

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May - International Missing Children’s Day campaign

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May - International Missing Children’s Day campaign

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International Missing Children's Day - Missing Children Europe

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This year, we would like to invite everyone to raise awareness of the 116000 hotlines, available across Europe to provide missing children and their families with FREE emotional, psychological, legal and administrative support 24/7 in 32 European countries. They are vital to prevent, protect and empower children and families faced with child disappearances.

Supporting hotline services is more important than ever, under the current restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. With domestic violence increasing and the limits on social gatherings, children continue to run away from home. Restrictions of movement complicate ongoing parental abduction cases making return impossible. Children in migration have difficulties accessing even the most basic services, becoming even more at risk of trafficking and exploitation. The 116000 hotlines are the central puzzle piece, the only piece that can connect children and families in need of support with services during times of lockdown and restrictions of movement.

1) Complete a puzzle. Mark 116 000 on the back of the central missing puzzle piece (optional). Take a picture.

2) Use our example message or create one of your own!

Join the #PuzzleChallenge and help @MissingChildEU raise awareness about #call116000 hotlines for children (at risk of) going missing and their families. @xxx @xxx @xxx share, donate, and advocate. #IMCD2021 Learn more: https://missingchildreneurope.eu/imcd/

3) Post the message on your social media using #PuzzleChallenge #IMCD2021 and tagging @MissingChildEU

4) Do not forget to nominate 3 people!

Ready to move it to the next level? Try to involve national leaders/authorities and policy makers to join the challenge!

Help us raise funds to continue the support and coordination of the European network of 116 000 hotlines and the implementation of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM), an essential tool to guarantee quality service for all hotlines across Europe.

Each donation of 25EUR will help us maintain a monthly CRM license for one hotline. This allows us to keep track of details and updates on missing children cases and ease cross-border cooperation between hotlines operating in different countries, to better prevent and efficiently find missing children whilst support their families.

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International Missing Children's Day - Missing Children Europe

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This year, we would like to invite everyone to raise awareness of the 116000 hotlines, available across Europe to provide missing children and their families with FREE emotional, psychological, legal and administrative support 24/7 in 32 European countries. They are vital to prevent, protect and empower children and families faced with child disappearances.

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25 May IMCD - launch of Figures & Trends and Annual Report

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25 May IMCD - launch of Figures & Trends and Annual Report

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Annual Reports - Missing Children Europe

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Annual Reports - Missing Children Europe

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Our network of missing children hotlines is operated by national organisations in 31 countries across Europe. Children and families calling the European hotline receive free and immediate emotional, psychological, social, legal and administrative support 24 / 7.

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June - General Assembly and topical conference 

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June - General Assembly and topical conference 

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Topic tbc
To be held in joint cooperation with host member
More details in January

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July - CBFM ongoing training of members (hopefully live)

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July - CBFM ongoing training of members (hopefully live)

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By CBFM training partner Centrum IKO

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Mediation Week - Missing Children Europe

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Family mediation refers to the process in which a professionally trained mediator helps families to work out best arrangements for the participants, particularly for children, following separation.

Family conflicts are difficult for all participants, not only for the parents facing separation but also for those who are not party at court, like the children. And for family conflicts that end up in court, parents are at risk of high financial expenses and stressful court proceedings. As a result, there is a high emotional toll on all parties. If you are a parent who is facing separation you might want to consider mediation to work out family arrangements and to resolve any conflict.

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Mediation Week - Missing Children Europe

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Family mediation refers to the process in which a professionally trained mediator helps families to work out best arrangements for the participants, particularly for children, following separation. Family conflicts are difficult for all participants, not only for the parents facing separation but also for those who are not party at court, like the children.

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November - 20th anniversary of Missing Children Europe 

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November - 20th anniversary of Missing Children Europe 

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Possible event combined with symposium