Protection of missing children

In the last 4 months European number for missing children 116 000 in Serbia was contacted regarding 4 cases of missing children, two girls and two boys. All cases were solved positive, and the children were found safe and sound.

During this period we heard about Maja, 13-year-old girl. Her mother passed away and her father got married again. He was very violent with his children and wife. Constant fights, domestic violence are something that Maja watched and suffered on a daily basis. At home she was often hungry, and her father found her guilty for everything bad happening to him privately or at work. He insulted her, pulled her hair, beat her. Because of all these problems, she started missing school. Social welfare centre got involved and because of the family violence they placed Maja in a foster family.

One day Maja went out to the grocery and she did not return home. Foster family and the social welfare centre reported her disappearance to the police. Eye-witnesses told that she was in the company of a younger man.

After some time, there was still no progress in the search for Maja, and social worker contacted ASTRA for a support in search for missing girl.

The same moment we received a report we contacted the police with all information we received.

Next day we received call from social worker who contacted us, she said: ''The girl was found! After you contacted the police, they again went to the place where we suspected that the girl was, and this time they found her there. Maja was very afraid, but she was relieved when she saw familiar faces''.

When the representatives of the Centre wanted to check whether their assessment of foster family was bad which led to girl running away, the girl confirmed thatshe felt accepted there. But she added: ''Fear is something that I wanted to escape from. I felt I was not far enough from the one who hurt me the most. I wish no one has to go through what I went through at home, and I do not want it to happen again. I wanted to run away from that fear!''

Maja returned to the foster family, she continued to go to school, she is going to counselling and she is involved in ASTRA program with the aim to strengthen her capacities.

An important segment of our work is the development and promotion of cooperation with all relevant institutions which are included in a search for missing children or other organisations which can assist in that process and give support.

We have so many great ideas for kids like Maja, for children in risk, but we need your help and support for its realization. Help us to become recognized by all citizens, as well as to develop prevention programs and activities for children, parents and citizens in general. Support us and be part of this development!