1998...The front door has had to be locked for some time now...the car alarm installed and running...the house alarm installers just finished putting in the intruder alert system last Friday. The Dunkin' Donuts coupons are still on the refrigerator out in the kitchen, the magnet that the pediatrician gave you yesterday managing to do its job despite all those layers of glossy magazine paper...the supper dishes are hidden away in the dishwasher, having been put there durung great debate by your daughter and son. They are upstairs in bed now. You tucked them in yourself. Tomorrow is Saturday and you have yet to flip through the newspaper and see what shows are playing at the mall theater. Time to relax, kick back and see what has up until now been a conversational background buzz from the TV. You smile...

Work is its usual hustle-bustle. But that's one of the reasons why you chose your profession. It's nice to be around people and so much activity. The people you work with are nice (except for that guy from the home office...he's a little strange). You smile...
The phone rings, one of the times amoung many. You pick it up. It's your wife of these past 7 years. Has it really been that long?, you wonder as you hear her say frantically, "Bobby never came home from school today!"
You feel the desperation that has been building up inside of her for hours now and try to calm her. What has wrorked so well in the past just doesn't work this time.
"What should we do? There's something wrong!".

Later, you are informed that your son Bobby has been abducted or has run away. The police are looking for witnesses.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
We can learn what things there are that we can do to help prevent this from happening. Although there are times when we are unaware of some potential problems, or may become distracted for that one split-second that it takes for an abduction to occur, or for whatever reasons some things happen in our lives, we now have the voices of many many people who have been through a scenario very close to the one above (and are -- unfortaunately -- going through it)-- and their experiences... as well as those who have helped effectively. Before and after the fact.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP
or
JUST SAY NO IS NOT ENOUGH

(1) Talk with your children about this early on. The importance of this cannot be emphasized enough. "Stranger Danger" is not enough.
(2) Help get your local elememtary schools to institute effective programs to teach our children the right things to stay safe. Schools must play a key role here.
(3) HAVE GOOD PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILDREN!!! Make certain that these are up-to-date and clear.
(4) Participate in any of your local area fingerprinting of your children by the local police.
(5) Know who to contact, i.e., the local police, and know how to contact them quickly!
(6) Know the resources available in case of emergency.
(7) Have your children use the Buddy System whenever they are playing or walking to/from school.
(8) Use baby-monitors when possible.
(9) Have your child's PC in a public area, for instance in your living room as opposed to their bedroom. Explain to them why this is important.
(10) Congress works hand-in-hand in passing laws on the criminality of abducting/harming our children, along with helping organizations help us. Get involved and stay involved. Voting, emailing and snail-mail can all help to accomplish this.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN
This organization uses every ounce of effectiveness at its disposal to help locate missing children and to work side-by-side with law enforcement and Congress to do whatever can be done to address this critical issue. How Can I Help?, Child Alert, Search For Child Photos, Services, CyberTip (help stop child-luring on the net), Education & Resources, Success Stories, News & Events and the Web Links Project. This is one of those resources that you should know about and keep at your fingertips!

8 Steps In Case It Happens To You!
From Our friends At NCMEC
If your child is missing...
1. Search the area
2. Immediately call the police
3. Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
4. Make Posters
5. Get involved in the search
6. Enlist the help of family and friends
7. Keep records of all contacts
8. If you suspect a family member is involved in the disappearance, get legal custody if you do not already have it.

FAMILY VIOLENCE AWARENESS PAGE
"It Breaks Homes; It Breaks Hearts; It Breaks Lives"...Family Violence is often a direct cause of children running away from home in their attempt to escape the abuse. Facts & Stats, Local & National Hotlines, Essays-Poetry & Other Writings, One Woman's Story (this one is powerful).

CHILD SEARCH
(National Missing Children Center)...Safety Tips For Parents, Listings w/Printable Flyers, Report Sightings and Apply For Assistance...Much needed information here.

AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION
"Protecting Children & Animals Since 1877"...New Initiatives, Advocacy & Public Policy, Program Evaluation & Consultation with more vital information. This one is updated regularly!