COVID-19 - Missing Children Europe

FAQs

Call the hotline if you are a:

child who is missing from home / care or a child who is thinking of leaving home / care
parent or carer of a missing child
child, young person, or adult who has information about a missing child

Make a report to the police if you know of a child who has gone missing. This can be done by anybody, not just the parents or carers. You may also call the 116 000 hotline for support, advice, and to share valuable information about a missing child.

Who answers the calls?

Professionally trained Hotline Operators.

Does the 116 000 hotline work in my country?

The 116 000 number works in 32 countries in Europe. You can find the list of countries here.

The 116 000 hotline is not available in my country, who can I contact instead?

Always contact your national police to report a missing child or to share information relating to a missing child.

Other national hotlines or children’s organisations are available in your country, you can find this online.

Who can call the 116 000 hotline?

Everyone. Children, young people, parents or carers, families, and third party adults.

If you know about a missing child or if you know of a child at risk of going missing, the 116 000 hotline will be able to support you.

What information am I required to give when I call the 116 000 hotline?

You will be asked for details related to the missing child and their circumstances.

The more information provided the more help this will be for the protection of the child.

Do I have to share my details, I want to remain anonymous?

No, you do not have to share your details. Only share your details should you wish to.

Staff at Missing Children Europe continues to do their part to protect missing and exploited children while limiting the spread of COVID-19, by working from home. We have moved all physical meetings to online and have cancelled all travel until further notice. Nonetheless, there is permanence in the office (Mon-Fri 9:30-16:30, +32 2 894 74 84) and you can always contact us.

Some people have no issues or difficulties, having worked from home in the past. Others may not have had the opportunity to telework before, so this may have come as a drastic change to their work life. Therefore, we would like to offer you some tips and tricks about how to develop a healthy work/life balance, as well as how to communicate with children about coronavirus, including online resources for child rights supporters, parents, children and organisations. Resources include technical notes, advice and guidelines, and examples of best practice and inspiration. These can be used to help you support both children and young people as well as parents and professionals who are concerned or affected by coronavirus.

Additionally, if you’re concerned about the mental health of a loved one, here’s a useful guide about guarding mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read Missing Children Europe’s public statement on COVID-19.