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There are three main categories of missing children that Child Find British Columbia assists. They are runaways, stranger abductions and parental abductions.

1. RUNAWAYS, and in most cases repeat runaways, comprise approximately 49% of our missing children cases. In most instances, runaways are usually fleeing unhealthy situations or what they regard as unsolvable problems rather than being lured to the "bright lights of the big city". While the streets can be a very lonely and dangerous place, it provides a sanctuary from an unhappy home life for some. Runaways are usually fleeing from a life of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse. Unfortunately, the streets can lead to a life of prostitution, drug abuse and/or crime.


2. STRANGER ABDUCTIONS, defined as an abduction by anyone who is not the parent or legal guardian of a child, account for 2% of all listings of missing children in Canada. However, due to the heinous nature of the crime, stranger abductions receive the highest profile.


3. PARENTAL ABDUCTIONS comprise the remaining 49% of Child Find BC s caseload. A parental abduction is usually the result of a bitter marriage breakup and an unfavourable custody ruling. Parental abductions are seldom acts of love for the child but, more often, a cold, calculated act of vengeance against the custodial spouse.

There are four other categories of missing children as listed by the RCMP. Child Find does register such cases and may lend assistance to parents, the police or other social service agencies who are involved in such cases.

1. ACCIDENT: When a child has been involved in some type of accident and the body has not been located or there is reason to believe the child is alive but seriously injured, either physically or mentally, making it impossible to return home.


2. WANDERED OFF/LOST: When a child wanders away from his/her parents, guardian or home, shopping mall, etc., and becomes lost, unable to return to a point of "familiarity". Foul play is not suspected and there is a high probability of finding the child.


3. UNKNOWN: Many first time runaways are placed in this category, as are some stranger abductions. In many instances, one has actually seen the taking of the child and there may be no reason to suspect foul play. This category also includes children for whom there is no information available to place them in a specific category.


4. OTHER: When a child is missing from institutionalized care or a treatment centre. Many are runaways but categorized under this term because of their unique circumstances.



 

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