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Earthtimes.org (Press Release) New Center in Romania to Aid Missing and Exploited Children Posted on : 2007-06-19 | Author : International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children News Category : PressRelease ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To combat the growing problem of missing and exploited children, including child trafficking and child prostitution, a new non-governmental organization (NGO), The Romanian Center for Missing and Exploited Children has opened in Bucharest, Romania. The new center will work closely with government, law enforcement, other non-governmental organizations, and the general public on cases involving and issues affecting missing and sexually exploited children and their families. The new center is a member of the global network that is being created by the U.S.-based International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). The new Romanian Center was modeled after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the U.S. and Child Focus in Belgium. Why Romania? -- The number of missing children reported missing in Romania has steadily increased from 244 in 2003, to 660 in 2004, to 750 in 2005. -- There are an estimated 100,000 homeless children throughout Eastern Europe, including 2,000 in Romania. Child trafficking and child prostitution are problems in Romania and represent a large threat throughout Eastern Europe. Homeless or "street" children are frequent victims. An estimated 5 percent of the homeless children in Romania are forced into child prostitution. -- An estimated 30% of sex workers in Bucharest are under 18 years of age. Romania, and in particular Bucharest, is one of the key travel destinations in Europe for child sex offenders. -- Romania is a country of origin and transit for women and girls who are internationally trafficked from Moldova, Ukraine, and other parts of the former Soviet Union to Asia, the Middle East and Europe. -- Romania has the seventh largest population and the ninth largest territory in the European Union. It is the largest country in Southeastern Europe and the twelfth largest in all of Europe. Romania is not only a leader in shaping policies of Eastern Europe, but it now enjoys membership in the European Union. The new center was established through the leadership and efforts of Mihaela Geoana who will serve as the organization's Chairman of the Board. Mrs. Geoana is a Board Member of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), and wife of the former Foreign Minister of Romania. The new Romanian Center will provide a variety of information and services for both law enforcement officials and the public, including the following: -- Operate a new 24-hour call center to receive and manage reports of missing and sexually exploited children; -- Establish networks within Romanian stakeholders who work to report and solve cases involving missing and sexually exploited children; -- Facilitate communications and coordination with similar centers throughout the world; -- Establish a system to monitor and track cases; -- Develop a national network of volunteers that will be trained and utilized in search operations; -- Provide technical assistance to professionals who interact with children and their families to be responsive to the special needs of victim children and their families; -- Increase public education and awareness about the issues of missing and exploited children through media campaigns, conferences, workshops and other events; and -- Establish a monitoring system to help prevent children from becoming victims of Internet child pornography. "The problems of child abduction and child sexual exploitation need to be addressed on a global basis. Creating regional and national centers similar to the new center in Romania is critical to eliminating the problems of child victimization," said Ernie Allen, President and CEO of ICMEC. "There is no greater priority than protecting children and keeping them safe." The new Romanian Center opened on May 25 -- the day set aside around the world to remember missing children who have not yet been recovered and to celebrate those missing children who have been safely returned to their families. Funding for the new center will be through private donations, with special thanks to lead corporate donors, TOTAL and Microsoft Corporation. About The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children ICMEC is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization. It is the leading organization working on a global basis to combat child abduction and exploitation. It is the sister organization of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. For more information, visit <http://www.icmec.org/> http://www.icmec.org/ < <http://www.icmec.org/> http://www.icmec.org/> . International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children CONTACT: NCMEC Communications Department, +1-703-837-6111, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web site: <http://www.icmec.org/> http://www.icmec.org/ C 2007 earthtimes.org ---------------------------- Vali "Noble blood is an accident of fortune; noble actions are the chief mark of greatness." (Carlo Goldoni) "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix)
