8 million children are reported missing worldwide every year

Every fourth second, a child disappears or is abducted somewhere in the world. Many cases involve situations where a child goes missing permanently or for a longer period of time.

Around 8 million children are reported missing worldwide every year, according to international data. Many of these cases begin when a guardian travels with a child. Many children also disappear in crowded places such as markets, stations, festivals, shopping centers, or public events.

What is defined as missing children

1. Runaway children: a child who is away from home without permission from their parents or guardians. The child may have left home voluntarily for various reasons.
2. Family abduction: when a parent, another family member, guardian, or other close relative takes, keeps, or hides a child in violation of the custody rights of another parent or family member.
3. Non-family abduction: when someone other than a family member forcibly and unlawfully takes a child.
4. Injured or otherwise missing: a child who has disappeared under unknown circumstances. The facts are insufficient to determine the cause of a child’s disappearance.
5. Abandoned minor: a child who is not accompanied by an adult who is legally responsible for him or her. This includes those traveling alone without permission, those separated because of an emergency, those in a refugee situation, and those who have been abandoned or otherwise left without adult care.

Things to keep in mind

Always keep a close watch on your children, especially when traveling. Make sure that all necessary permits and documents are prepared well in advance. Even when you are not traveling, it is important to keep an eye on the children so that nothing unfortunate happens. The most important thing of all is to always keep a close watch on the children.

Rules when minors travel abroad

Do not forget to order the international permit MinorClearPass, which shows that the child has the approval of the guardians to travel abroad. MinorClearPass applies to children traveling with one of their parents, on their own, or together with another person.