“Take 25” for National Missing Children's Day

SPOKANE -- The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), in partnership with Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police Department and several law enforcement agencies, will be participating in the National “Take 25” Child Safety Campaign in observance of National Missing Children’s Day.  This Community wide event will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd at the Northtown Mall from 10am to 7pm. May 25th has been observed as National Missing Children’s Day since it was first recognized in 1983. National Missing Children’s Day serves as an annual reminder that there are thousands of children who are still missing and stresses the importance of making child protection a national priority. The Take 25 campaign is a national child safety public awareness campaign created in 2007 by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The campaign encourages parents to take 25 minutes to talk to their children about safety and ways to prevent abduction. The campaign begins on May 1st and continues through May 25th every year in communities throughout the country. “Every day we hear stories about children who escaped a would-be-abductor because someone talked to them about what they should do in that type of situation”, said CEO John Ryan. “Education and open communication is the key to keeping our children safer. Take 25 minutes and talk to your child.” Every year in America, an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing, more than approximately 2,000 each day. Of that number, it is estimated 200,000 are abducted by family members and approximately 58,000 are abducted by non-family members. It is estimated yearly 115 children are the victims of the most serious abductions; they are taken by non-family members and either murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep and hold them in captivity. An analysis of attempted abduction cases by NCMEC found that in 84% of cases, the child escaped would-be abductors through their own actions. Teaching children about safety works. It saves lives! About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1984.  It is the leading nonprofit organization that deals with the issues of missing children and sexual exploitation of children.  It operates the national toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST, as well as the Cyber Tipline which is the national system for reporting suspected sexual exploitation of children.  To learn more about NCMEC or to make a donation, visit www.missingkids.com or call 1-800-THE-LOST.