Data on Missing Children in the European Union

The Data on Missing Children project aims to identify the most efficient way to improve understanding on drivers and consequences of children going missing, by focusing on improving data collection of missing children. Ecorys conducted research as part of the DATA MISSING Children project to contribute to the developing of comprehensive and sustainable reporting, data collection and statistical mechanisms on missing children and found that several promising shifts were identified across different EU Member States as a result of both the national- and international-level efforts to improve the situation.

Background

In order to adequately respond to the challenges faced by children (at risk of) going missing, in particular the risks of them being subject to violence, it is essential to have robust data collection and reporting mechanisms in place on missing children. However, many gaps in the availability of comprehensive data on missing children still exists, which impacts the ability of authorities, policies and legislation to respond adequately to the issue.

Ecorys conducted research as part of the DATA MISSING Children project, implemented by a consortium led by Missing Children Europe (MCE). This project is funded by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Value Programme (CERV). It aims to contribute to the developing of comprehensive and sustainable reporting, data collection and statistical mechanisms on missing children, as a consequence of and risk factor for violence, in the 27 EU MS. DATA MISSING will provide a basis to ameliorate policies, legislation and practices to support children at risk of going missing across all fields, such as law enforcement and child protection systems. There is a particular focus on children in vulnerable situations, facing discrimination and at higher risk of violence (e.g. gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, children in institutions, etc). At the same time this research is also a reflection on the 2013 Ecorys study and recommendations.

Key findings

Although missing children data practices remain challenging and largely reflect the situation that was present 10 years ago, several promising shifts were identified across different EU Member States as a result of both the national- and international-level efforts to improve the situation. Especially data collection, storing and sharing practices have been improved in some countries. Besides the positive developments, challenges in missing children data practices persist, such as data protection and privacy rules pose a barrier for data sharing, the absence of a centralized missing children data system, the lack of interoperability of systems, challenges in (cross-border) cooperation, varying definitions of missing children (of absence of them), etc.

For more information on the project, please refer to the dedicated website of Missing Children Europe.