National Center for Missing & Exploited Children | LinkedIn (original) (raw)

Alexandria, Virginia 60,965 followers

NCMEC is the nation’s largest and most influential child protection organization.

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About us

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) leads the fight to protect children by creating vital services for them and the people who keep them safe. Every child deserves a safe childhood. Since 1984, NCMEC has served as the national clearinghouse and resource center for families, victims, private organizations, law enforcement and the public on issues relating to missing and sexually exploited children.

Industry

Civic and Social Organizations

Company size

201-500 employees

Headquarters

Alexandria, Virginia

Type

Nonprofit

Founded

1984

Locations

Employees at National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Updates

15 Years Later: The Search for Patrick Alford Continues At just 7 years old, Patrick vanished while taking out the trash with his foster mother in Brooklyn. Today, we’re sharing a new age progression of what he might look like at 22. Read more in our latest blog by Patti Davis: https://lnkd.in/eNbPXzrp
“I began my career 2006 with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office in Seminole County, Florida. From 2010-2021, I served as a detective assigned to the Youth Intervention Services Unit, focusing on recovering missing and endangered juveniles. Over the years, I helped recover over 870 missing children. One case involving a child repeatedly found at a location linked to commercial sex activity sparked my first sex trafficking investigation. Partnering with an FBI agent, we recovered three children and secured a 40-year sentence for one trafficker. This was the first human trafficking case investigated, tried, and successfully prosecuted in Seminole County, Florida. This case was a major success in Seminole County, both for law enforcement and for the prosecutor’s office. This landmark case led to forming a task force dedicated to combating trafficking which I served as the Chairman for from 2015-2021. The task force emphasized collaboration, involving federal and local law enforcement, NGOs, and victim advocates. We shifted the narrative, treating all missing children’s cases with urgency, avoiding terms like "runaways." This approach fostered respect and collaboration among partner organizations and the survivors, leading to numerous recoveries and successful prosecutions. My passion for protecting children brought me to NCMEC, where I transitioned into my role with the Child Sex Trafficking Analytical Team. NCMEC bridges gaps for smaller agencies, providing resources, training, and highly skilled analysts to support investigations. Our analysts transform small tips into actionable leads, making connections that facilitate the recovery of children and arrests of offenders. Our mission is driven by collaboration at every level, and I’m grateful for our team’s dedication. Together, we educate families, communities, and law enforcement, ensuring every child is valued, protected, and never forgotten. Public involvement remains crucial, as even the smallest details can make a difference. Reporting concerns to NCMEC is vital in this fight against child sex trafficking.” Maurice Edwards, Supervisor, Child Sex Trafficking Team Learn more about the issue at ncmec.org/trafficking #EndTrafficking
Today is #MartinLutherKingJrDay. At NCMEC, we’re reminded and inspired by his relentless pursuit to encourage others to help those in need. “You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” Every child deserves a safe childhood.
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We applaud Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean for re-introducing the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act. We are grateful to the bill’s sponsors and cosponsors for recognizing and addressing emerging trends threatening children, especially through GAI, and encourage Congress to swiftly pass this legislation.
'I miss them so much. I love you, my little two boys,' says Hongying Liu, mother of Binyu and Huaiyu Chin. NCMEC is releasing new age progressed photos of the two brothers who were allegedly abducted by their father from San Diego in 2019. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enDnM6ht
Join us tomorrow, January 15, 2025, at 1 PM EST for a Facebook LIVE! NCMEC’s Annabelle Thomson will chat with Judge Robert Lung, a judge and child advocate, to discuss ‘Understanding Familial Trafficking’. #EndTraffickingWatch here: facebook.com/ncmec
"My journey into the anti-trafficking field began in 2011 when I worked at a shelter for runaway and homeless youth. After a training on child sex trafficking, I started seeing the signs and realized the gaps in services. That experience inspired me to learn best practices and dedicate my career to supporting victim-survivors. At NCMEC, I now use that experience to help child welfare workers rethink how they engage with youth. Trauma-informed, victim-centered recovery is key—meeting young people where they are, offering them choices, and focusing on harm reduction to rebuild trust and break the cycle of exploitation. Survivors often say one caring adult made all the difference. It’s a reminder that engagement isn’t just about addressing trauma; it’s about connection and trust. These survivors are some of the strongest, most inspiring people I’ve ever met, and I’m honored to support their journeys. We must do better for all trafficking victims and survivors, including boys, and move past harmful stereotypes. Every young person deserves love, belonging, and acceptance." Stacy Schultz, Senior Resources Specialist, Child Sex Trafficking Recovery Services Team Learn more about the issue at ncmec.org/trafficking #EndTrafficking
Jan. 13 is #AMBERAlertAwarenessDayOver 1,200 children have been safely recovered thanks to AMBER Alerts, including 67 in 2023. While many cases are resolved quickly, some children featured in AMBER Alerts are still missing. Read our latest blog by Emma Vaughan and learn how you can help: https://lnkd.in/eZubhiGB

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