National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Options: Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of Organization

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, (NCMEC), is a private, (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization which was created in 1984. The mission of the organization is to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. The organization provides information and resources to law enforcement, parents, children including child victims as well as other professionals.

History of Organization:

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children was born in a time of tragedy. In 1979, six year old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on this way to school and was never seen again. Twenty-nine children were abducted and murdered in Atlanta, Georgia. And in 1981 six year old Adam Walsh was abducted from a Florida shopping mall and found brutally murdered. There were others.

In 1984, police could enter information about stolen cars, stolen guns, and even stolen horses into the FBI’s national crime computer – but not stolen children. That is not longer the case. More missing children come home safety today and more is being done today to protect children than anytime in the nation’s history.

In 1984, the U.S. Congress passed the Missing Children’s Assistance Act which established a National Resource Center and Clearinghouse on Missing and Exploited Children. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children was designated to fulfill this role.

On June 13, 1984, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children was opened by President Ronald Reagan in a White House Ceremony. The national 24-hour toll-free missing children’s hotline 1-800-THE-LOST opened as well

25 Years of Progress

In June of 2009, NCMEC observed its 25th year in operation and a quarter century of progress on behalf of children. Twenty-five years later NCMEC has become the leading nonprofit organization in the U.S. working with law enforcement to address the problems of missing and sexually exploited children. Today the work of the organization includes twenty different Congressional mandates.

Today law enforcement is better trained, better prepared and responds more swiftly and effectively than ever before. There is better law and better technology. Parents are more alert and aware. Yet there are still thousands of children who do not make it home each year, and more who fall victim to sexual exploitation.

An estimated 800,000 children are reported missing each year – more than 2,000 children every day. An estimated 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized before age 18. Yet, only 1 in 3 will tell anyone.

Leadership

Contact Information

Contact Phone Numbers

Number* Title / Description (Telephone, Toll free, Fax, etc.)
1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) 24 hour Hotline

Web Addresses

Website* Title / Description (National, Local office, etc.)
www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US

Primary Address

Title/Description (Corporate office, Headquarters, etc.)

Charle B Wang International Children's Building

Address:

699 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3175
Map It

Services Provided

Speaker Available

No

Volunteer Use

No

Volunteer Need

No

Thank You To Our Sponsors

We are grateful to our many partners who provide financial and operational support. 

OUR SUPPORTERS