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Child Focus

Foundation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children. Child Focus. Introduction. History Summer 1995: Marc Dutroux abducted, abused & killed 3 pairs of girls: Julie & Melissa (), Anne & Eefje () and Sabine & Laetitia (alive)

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Child Focus

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  1. Foundation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children Child Focus

  2. Introduction • History • Summer 1995: Marc Dutroux abducted, abused & killed 3 pairs of girls: Julie & Melissa (), Anne & Eefje () and Sabine & Laetitia (alive) • The indignation of the people about the mistakes made by LE led to the White March (20/10/1996) • Parents of the abducted children strive for a better support of the parents whose child went missing and lobby for a specialised centre for missing and sexually exploited children (NCMEC – US) • Government promisses creation of Centre for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children in Belgium • March 31st 1998: Child Focus is operational

  3. Introduction • Who are we? • Foundation of public utility • PP-cooperation (protocols) but we work in total independence, in the interest of the child • Financing: at the start 50%-50%  NOW: 30% Public – 70% Private: •  Corporate – citizens • (direct dialogue - donation) – wills – • tombola…

  4. Introduction • Who are we? • Run the hotline 116 000 (former  110) • +/- 50 FTE & +/- 10 volunteers on the workfloor • Management committee (CEO + 3 Directors): Thematic department (disappearances and sexual exploitation) supported by Communication departement and Finances & Ressources • Board of directors- parents, representatives of judiciary, police and civil society, government observers • 1.200 volunteers in B (search posters – events – informationsessions – P2Psupport…)

  5. Introduction • Mission: • Missing children & Sexually Exploited children • Operational: 24/7 accessibility for anyone confronted with missing or sexually exploited children & Prevention and lobbying: we endeavor to ensure that the fight against missing and sexual exploitation of children remain a priority  Online & Offline : E-safety

  6. Introduction Anyone can contact Child Focus through: in all (actual or preventative) cases of missing or sexually exploited children

  7. 116 000 - Characteristics • Characteristics of the hotline • Operational 24/7 • Free emergency number • Operational nationwide (FR – Dutch - English) • All telephone numbers are identified • Calls on the 116 000 are recorded • Anonimity is accepted

  8. 116 000 - Characteristics • Characteristics of the hotline • Own staff (8) works daily in three shifts from 7 am – 11 pm. • Night shift ensured by Mutas from 11 pm – 7 am. Pro bono • +/- 36.000 calls in 2012 • Used for both prevention and actual cases of Sexual Exploitation of children & Missing Children (operational)

  9. 116000 – Missing Children MISSING CHILDREN - OPERATIONAL

  10. 116 000 – Missing Children • Opening a case • Which cases do we treat? • Runaways • Undefined disappearances (lost – injured and otherwise missing) • Abduction by third party • International Child Abduction • Disappearance of Unccompanied Minors For whom do we open a case? • All children up to 18 years • Prolonged minority • 18-24 year-olds, in case of worrying disappearances (according to the criteria of the Ministerial Decree)

  11. 116 000 – Missing Children Opening a case • Who may open a case file? • Parents – guardians – family – institutions - or third party if this is the only person looking out for the best interests of the child • Law enforcement • Child +/- 1.800 missing children’s cases/year

  12. 116 000 - Organisation • Call Managers • Maturity, aptitude to listen • On-the-job-training: • info concerning CF, content of the job, link to case management, expectations… • observation of colleagues • how to handle the different kind of calls - listening techniques • CRM database

  13. 116 000 - Organisation • Call Managers • Day to day supervision & coaching by coordinator • call managers of Mutas (during the night) also trained and coached • At least trilingual (FR – Dutch – English – other languages are an asset)

  14. 116 000 - Organisation • Call Managers • Call managers are the first contact with the public. They listen, assess and transfer the calls. • If call = missing or sexual exploitation of a child → transfer to case managersif call = matters outside of our competence (f.e. suicide, relational problems…) → case manager specialised in social welfare organisations will redirect & verify

  15. 116 000 - Organisation • Call Managers • Many test calls, malignant calls, errors (former 110 close to police number  101)  every call is taken seriously! • Input in CRM database • Register sightings/testemonies, collect the necessary information, fax/call the police to share this information

  16. 116 000 - Organisation • Case Managers • Bachelor or Masters degree or equal by experience (social-human sciences) • Training:- information on CF, content of the job, expectations, job of call manager- observation of colleagues, on-the-job-training- CRM database- how to handle the different kind of cases- listening techniques - observation Federal Police - Unit Missing Persons (2 days)- observation Prosecutor’s Office (2 days)- supervision + day to day coacing- follow-up training according to their needs

  17. 116 000 - Organisation • Case Managers • Every day, a case manager is on call (to ensure the 24/7 operation) (mobile phone - @home but within 30min of CF) • The case managers have specialisations (international child abduction, referral social organisations, sexual exploitation) • They treat the cases: regular contact with parents/family, police, magistrates, social services or other concerned parties depending on the kind of case.

  18. 116 000 – Case Management • Treating a case • Develop a relationship of trust, give advice, support the family in any way • Psychological support during the crisis situation • ‘Bridge’ between parents and law enforcement: inform the parents on the progress of the police inquiry • Inform and explain to the parents how the police works, what (dis)advantages can be of distributing the picture through public poster campaigns/social media/ email…

  19. 116 000 – Case Management • Treating a case • Home visits • Peer2Peer-support by parents who have lived through similar situations (for runaway cases) • Referral to other organisations for long term psychological help • contacts with the press – support of parents who meet the press

  20. 116 000 – Cooperation • Cooperation with partners • Objective is to be the ‘bridge’ between the parents and other relevant partners in a case • Partners are: law enforcement (police, magistrates), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, care institutions, social services, lawyers… • Memories of Understanding – evaluations (in 2001, 2007, 2010 and 2013 (ongoing)) • with law enforcement for general disappearances • with Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs for International Child Abduction • for non-accompanied minors (on local level – looking to expand nationwide) • with law enforcement for sexual exploitation

  21. 116 000 – Cooperation • Cooperation with partners • The cooperation in the field is based on mutual consultation and personal contact • Child Focus is complementary to the partners, it does not take their place, no substitute to their work • Support and stimulate the work of the parties concerned – look for cooperation opportunities to enhance the fight against phenomena

  22. 116 000 – Worrying Cases • Worrying Cases • Criteria of worrying disappearances:-less than 13 years old.-physical or mental handicap, -under medical treatment-risk that the life of the missing child is threatened-Is in company of third parties who might be a threat for his security or if he is victim of a crime-In complete contradiction to his usual behaviour • Call for support through public or discrete campaigns

  23. 116 000 – Worrying Cases • Public campaigns • Depending on the type of case, CF can assist with:-posters-discrete flyers -FB and Twitter-App (smartphone)-Child Alert

  24. 116 000 – Worrying Cases • Cooperation • Assist in « coordination meetings » with magistrate, local and federal police, … • Receive sightings/testimonies + transfer to law enforcement for investigation feedback on result • Use of international network of contacts (MCE- ICMEC)

  25. 116 000 – Missing Children • Prevention & lobbying • On basis of practice in cases - research • Prevention activities, raising awareness and training of professionals & the general public in the different categories of missing children • Advocacy & lobbying on political framework/ law enforcement

  26. 116 000 – Challenges for the future • Definition of clear identity • After 15 years Child Focus redefines its core identity: continue to develop and professionalise the core responsibilities with attention for innovation • This for all categories of disappearances and for sexual exploitation as defined by the Treaty of Lanzarote  fight against CSAM = priority (www.stopchildporno.be)

  27. 116 000 – Challenges for the future • Strategic plan 2014-2017 • Have an added value in operational and prevention activities • Address everybody and be approachable for everybody, with special attention for children en youth • Give a strong opinion towards society and individuals • Stay alert for new problems and trends and have an innovative respons • Participation: involve stakeholders, networking, awareness raising • Integrate the identity at all levels of the organisation

  28. “History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children”(Nelson Mandela)

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