By Danijela Nikolic | SOS consultant
From 2012, since its launch, until 2024, the European number for missing children in Serbia 116000, operated by ASTRA, has received 5,455 calls. These include 158 reports of missing children (95 girls and 63 boys) and 276 reports of missing babies.
Disappearance causes were: running away from home or care institutions: 76 cases (49%), unaccompanied minors in migration: 26 cases (16%), parental abduction: 26 cases (16%), abduction by a third party: 5 cases (3%) and lost/injured/other reasons: 25 cases (16%).
From January 1 to December 31, 2024, ASTRA received 641 calls via the 116000 helpline, categorized as follows:
Services provided:
Preventive and Other calls:
Preventive calls (112) came from concerned citizens, parents, educators, and partners in Serbia and abroad. Other calls (10) were redirected to social services, judiciary, or law enforcement as appropriate.
Key challenges & recommendations:
o Lack of cross-sector cooperation
- Establish effective, continuous coordination between schools, social services, healthcare, civil society, and law enforcement to better support at-risk children.
o Institutional inflexibility
- Strengthen parental and guardian support through education and skills programs, and ensure access to psychosocial services in a safe, nurturing environment.
o Challenges in conducting safe searches
- Prioritize the best interests of the child in every stage of the search, ensuring protection, privacy, and trauma-informed care.
o Irresponsible media reporting
- Promote ethical, fact-based reporting that supports the search and protects the dignity and privacy of the child and their family.
We are especially proud of launching Serbia’s first national awareness campaign for the 116000 hotline in 2024, under the slogan Let’s all be counted. This campaign aimed to increase visibility of the helpline, educate the public, and promote early intervention in missing children cases. Strategic partnerships and public events helped amplify the message and promotional presence, continuing into 2025.
As we look ahead, we warmly invite you to join ASTRA in preventing and responding to cases of missing children and those at risk of abuse or exploitation. Your support helps us protect the most vulnerable and ensure that no child is left behind.
Thank you for being our ally.
With appreciation,
The ASTRA Team
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