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Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children 

We help develop effective child protection systems that prevent, protect and support children from going missing.


Here's how we help missing children


A child is reported missing every 2 minutes in the EU.

But who are these missing children? Over 50% of missing children cases reported to the 116 000 missing children hotline network are those of children running away from home or care institutions, another 37% are of children abducted by a parent while 1% of missing children cases are those of unaccompanied migrant children and criminal abductions respectively. 25% of these cases involve a cross-border element and therefore require coordinated cross border cooperation and support. This is the role played by Missing Children Europe. Missing Children Europe and its members ensure that support is available to missing children and their families across borders 24/7.

Missing Children Europe is the European federation for missing and sexually exploited children representing grassroots NGOs across Europe who work directly with missing children and their families. But we can't do this alone. Get involved and help us protect the rights of missing children.

Together, we can create a safer Europe for children.

What children think


Children go missing everywhere in Europe. Children running away from or pushed out of home represented the majority of missing children cases in 2015. While children abducted by a parent make up up the second largest group of missing children. Another worrying group of vulnerable children include unaccompanied migrant children who go missing. Europol has confirmed reports of at least 10 000 missing accompanied migrant children.

On the 15th anniversary of Missing Children Europe, we wanted to hear what children had to say about the role of adults in protecting and empowering them in situations related to their happiness and well being.

Share this video and spread hope to children and families affected by child disappearances.

The European missing children hotline


The disappearance of a child can be an extremely stressful and horrifying experience for the family affected. What do you do? Who do you call? Having one number that parents and children can call across Europe, the 116 000, is a vital first step to providing support in these moments of despair. Any child or adult dialling the 116 000 in 29 countries in Europe are immediately connected to professional support by a mandated missing child organisation in that country.

The 116 000 hotline provides free emotional, psychological, social, legal and administrative support to missing children and theur families 24/7. These hotlines received over 268,309 calls and provided support in over 6,000 missing children cases in 2014. Yet, these national hotlines are at risk of shutting down due to lack of funding provided by national governments. The closing of these hotlines would mean the end of vital support in cases of child disappearances. Help us ensure that the voices of missing children are heard today and for the years to come.

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