[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 172 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CHILD ABDUCTION AND EXPLOITATION

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 1, 1995

  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, there are five categories of missing 
children, they are:
  First, abducted by family members.
  Second, abducted by nonfamily members.
  Third, runaways.
  Fourth, thrownaways.
  Fifth, lost, injured or other reasons.
  All numbers are for 1988 cases.
  Family abductions: Involves taking the child in violation of the 
custody agreement, referred to as ``child snatching.''
  Fifty-three percent were living with a single parent; 41 percent 
occurred in the midst of an ongoing relationship; 2 percent involved 
snatching the child from day care centers, rather they involved 
violations of custody agreements.
  Nonfamily abductions: There were 114,600 attempted abductions. There 
were 3,200-4,600 children abducted. Children ages 4-11 experienced the 
most attempts. Most attempts involved a car.
  More than half the victims were age 12 and older; 62 percent were to 
strangers; 19 percent were to acquaintances; force was used against 84% 
of the victims.
  Runaways: Children who left home overnight without permission. There 
were 450,7000, although the majority went to familiar places. There 
were 133,500 children who left without a secure and familiar place to 
stay; 67 percent were 16 to 17 years old.
  Thrownaways: Children who are thrown out of their homes. There were 
59,200 cases reported; 84 percent were for children between the ages of 
16 and 17.
  Lost, injured or otherwise missing: 139,000 reported cases; 47 
percent ages 4 and under.

      What You Can Do To Prevent Child Abduction and Exploitation

       Know where your children are at all times. Be familiar with 
     their friends and daily activities.
       Be sensitive to changes in your children's behavior; they 
     are a signal that you should sit down and talk to your 
     children about what caused the changes.
       Be alert to a teenager or adult who is paying an unusual 
     amount of attention to your children or giving them 
     inappropriate or expensive gifts.
       Teach your children to trust their own feelings, and assure 
     them that they have the right to say ``NO'' to what they 
     sense is wrong.
       Listen carefully to your children's fears, and be 
     supportive in all your discussions with them.
       Teach your children that no one should approach them or 
     touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. If 
     someone does, they should tell the parents immediately.
       Be careful about babysitters and any other individual who 
     have custody of your children.

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