Launch of Missing Children’s Month
Montreal, May 1, 2020 – Today, the Missing Children’s Network officially launched Missing Children’s Month with this year’s theme, “Keeping Hope Alive“. The objective of this month is to raise awareness about the plight of missing and exploited children and to inform parents about what they can do in order to better protect their children.
Last year, according to the RCMP’s 2019 Annual Report, law enforcement in Quebec registered 5,803 cases of missing children. This is a slight decrease as compared to 5,927 cases in the previous year. While the news is encouraging, we can all concur that one missing child is already one too many. Once again, runaway youth account for the majority of all reported cases.
The Missing Children’s Network will put several initiatives into place during the entire month of May, including sharing poignant messages of hope by searching families, posting practical safety tips on the organization’s social media platforms, unveiling of its annual poster featuring 12 unresolved missing children cases and hosting several Facebook Live sessions to help parents build their children’s self-confidence and critical thinking skills, thus preparing their youth for potentially dangerous situations should they arise.
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt and impact our lives, recent reports indicate that children who are home may potentially have more unrestricted time online, thereby increasing their risk of falling victim to abuse and exploitation. The Missing Children’s Network is using this period to reinforce its presence on social media by reaching families and children on the very same platforms that they use daily, and sensitizing them about the importance of staying safe, both in the real world and online. The organization has developed new educational resources intended to encourage parents to have on-going communication about online safety, and help youth adopt sound safety habits.
About – International Missing Children’s Day
Missing Children’s Day was first recognized by former President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, on May 25, 1983. May 25th is the date that six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York City street corner on his way to school. Etan’s case remains one of thousands of unsolved missing children’s cases and this day serves as an annual reminder of our responsibilities to ensure the well-being and safety of our children.
In 1986, the Solicitor General of Canada declared May 25th to be National Missing Children’s Day in Canada. Today, this annual awareness day is international in scope with over 50 countries pausing on May 25th to honour its missing children.
About the Missing Children’s Network
On May 21, 2020, the Missing Children’s Network will mark its 35th anniversary! An incredible milestone for a small grassroots organization that literally first operated out of the trunk of one of the co-founders’ personal vehicle! The enthusiasm, determination and unprecedented success in several unresolved cases of missing children eventually earned the organization the confidence and unwavering support of law enforcement agencies, hundreds of volunteers, and numerous corporate and community partners.
Through the years, the Missing Children’s Network has made great strides in recovering missing children and in the prevention of their disappearances. Today, the organization has collaborated with law enforcement in reuniting over 1,600 children with their families. Because the safety and well-being of children is also at the very heart of our mission, over 225,000 youngsters have received practical safety education instruction. The organization also offers an abundance of age-appropriate safety documentation that support parents in helping keep their children safe as they grow and develop.
The Missing Children’s Network is a front-line partner of the AMBER Alert Program in Quebec and a recognized partner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR).
Pina Arcamone
Directrice générale
Missing Children’s Network
Tel.: 514 892-2280
Montreal Police recently reported that a suspicious individual approached a seven year-old girl in the borough of Mercier-Est. This unsettling incident is a reminder to parents to teach their child the importance to always use the “buddy system” when walking or playing outside. For his own safety, a child should always be in a group of two or more so that he avoids walking alone or being isolated. A predator is more likely to approach a child that is alone.
spvm.qc.ca/fr/Communiques/Details/14752
spvm.qc.ca
Le SPVM sollicite l’aide de la population pour obtenir des informations concernant un cas de comportement douteux envers une fillette de 7 ans survenu le 13 mai vers 17 h 45 dans le secteur de Merci...Sexual exploitation and human trafficking are acts of violence that unfortunately often affect vulnerable adolescents and young adults. Human trafficking involves recruiting, relocating or harbouring individuals for the purpose of exploitation, most often for the sex industry or forced labour. This can take many forms: prostitution, pornography, stripping, exotic dancers, escort services or erotic massages. It is important to note that all forms of sexual exploitation are illegal under the Canadian Criminal Code and must be reported immediately.L’exploitation sexuelle et la traite des personnes sont des actes de violence dont sont malheureusement souvent victimes les adolescents et jeunes adultes vulnérables. La traite des personnes consiste à recruter, à déplacer ou à héberger des personnes en vue de les exploiter, le plus souvent pour l’industrie du sexe et pour le travail forcé. Cela peut prendre plusieurs formes : prostitution, pornographie, effeuillage, danseuses exotiques, services d’escortes ou massages érotiques. Il est important de noter que toutes les formes d’exploitation sexuelle sont illégales selon le Code criminel canadien et doivent être rapportées immédiatement.
Good morning to all,
Today, May 21st, marks the 35th anniversary of the Missing Children’s Network, a cause that is so very dear and close to my heart. For over 26 years, I have had the privilege of being at the helm of a wonderful organization that has helped to safely recover over 1,600 children and provided hope to countless families. To this day, I cannot imagine a worse tragedy than not knowing where your child is.
On this very special day, our entire organization joins me in sincerely thanking each and every one of you that have stood alongside our organization and whose support has allowed the Missing Children’s Network to be a shining light in the lives of so many children and families all over our province. You are all part of a unique group who share our belief that every child truly deserves to be safe and protected. It is with firm resolve that we will continue to work on their behalf.
With immense gratitude and wishes for good health and better days ahead,
PinaBonjour à vous tous,
Aujourd’hui, 21 mai, marque le 35e anniversaire du Réseau Enfants-Retour, une cause qui m’est très chère et qui me tient à cœur. Depuis plus de 26 ans, j’ai le privilège d’être à la tête d’une merveilleuse organisation qui a aidé à retrouver en toute sécurité plus de 1 600 enfants et a donné de l’espoir à d’innombrables familles. À ce jour, je ne peux imaginer une pire tragédie que de ne pas savoir où se trouvent nos enfants.
En cette journée très spéciale, toute notre organisation se joint à moi pour remercier sincèrement tous ceux d’entre vous qui se sont tenus à nos côtés et dont le soutien a permis au Réseau Enfants-Retour d’être une lumière vive dans la vie de tant d’enfants et de familles partout en province. Vous faites tous partie d’un groupe unique partageant la conviction que chaque enfant mérite d’être en sécurité et protégé. C’est avec une ferme détermination que nous continuerons à travailler en leur nom.
Avec une immense gratitude et des vœux de bonne santé et de jours meilleurs à venir, je vous souhaite une bonne journée.
Pina
The Missing Children's Network is pleased to inform you that 17-year-old Malina Brianna D'Andrea, missing since March 2, 2020, has been found and is doing well. Thank you to all those who shared her poster.
Alors que le Réseau Enfant-Retour célèbre son trente-cinquième anniversaire, j’éprouve une vive reconnaissance envers celles et ceux qui, durant toutes ces années, ont adhéré à cette cause. Comme moi, ils estiment que, pour une famille, la disparition d’un enfant constitue le pire des cauchemars.
Une telle organisation n’aurait jamais connu l’impact et le rayonnement qu’on lui connaît sans le soutien de dizaines de milliers de personnes, d’entreprises et d’institutions qui y ont cru et qui se sont impliqués.
Au nom de toutes les familles dévastées que le Réseau Enfant-Retour a aidées depuis 1985 et de toutes celles qui auront évité un tel drame grâce à d’excellents programmes de prévention largement diffusés, merci à chaque personne qui a alimenté la flamme et qui continue de partager le feu sacré. Sans vous, et vous, et vous, rien de tout cela n’aurait été possible.
Marcèle Lamarche, Cofondatrice du Réseau Enfants-Retour
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Your donations make a real difference in our community and help support our ongoing involvement in the search for missing children, as well as assist us in our efforts to protect our youth from harm.
“It’s a privilege to be able to contribute to your efforts in keeping our children safe. When I saw the stats particularly for Quebec, it really hit home the urgency to continue to educate our kids on the hazards that exist and ways to keep themselves safe.”
Since I have been donating to your organization, I have been very lucky not to have lost any of my children and I now have 4 grandchildren! I will always continue to support this cause that is very dear to me. Losing a child for a mere 20 seconds is such a dreadful feeling, and I could never ever imagine feeling like this until my child was returned home. I wish that so many other parents could share the same blessing I have had. My heart goes out to everyone who has a missing child. Keep up the fantastic work Pina , please. You and your team are amazing!!