Protection of missing children

In the previous period, through the European number for missing children 116000 in Serbia, we were contacted by the mother of a 15-year old boy who ran away from home. As she did not report to the police immediately, and after several hours of disappearance, the mother was not sure if she should report the disappearance to the police or some more time should pass.

When we explained to her that she did not have to wait and what the procedure in the police is, she told us that she will report the disappearance of the son and that she would contact us later. After that, the boy was found very quickly.

However, after a few days, the boy ran away again and it was assumed that he is with the same persons as before. Unfortunately, the elderly persons who were involved in his escape from home also recruited him to commit criminal activities. Luckily, boy was quickly found again.

All the time that we were in contact with the mother we supported her and discussed the options after finding the child. As several problems have been identified, we suggested that they contact a social welfare center and perhaps start with a family therapy due to previously identified problems in the family functioning in order to prevent any future problems.

For many reasons, it is not easy to be young, there are many challenges in growing up, and there are also a lot of misunderstandings in relationships with parents and in general with the authority. Providing support to young people is very important, but also the support to parents who also have their dilemmas regarding how to help their children to deal with all delicate issues and how to support them is also very crucial. 

European number for missing children 116000 in Serbia is trying to provide help and advice regarding above mention issues and to provide help and support in order to reconcile these differences in the best way and to prevent problems in communication and behavior.