THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION JOINS THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN IN RECOGNITION OF “TAKE 25” – A CHILD SAFETY INITIATIVE
ALEXANDRIA, VA – May 25, 2007 – The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) is pleased to join with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and focus attention on Take 25, a national preventive safety campaign. NCMEC’s Take 25 program encourages parents and guardians to devote at least 25 minutes on May 25th, National Missing Children’s Day, to talk to their children concerning things they can do to be more safe. Take 25 is designed to be an ongoing program that aims to promote frequent discussions within families and communities about child safety.
According to Mathias (Mat) H. Heck, Jr., President of NDAA and Prosecuting Attorney in Montgomery County (Dayton) Ohio, “NDAA and prosecutors across America acutely recognize the fact that children are extraordinarily vulnerable to crimes such as abuse, neglect, sexual assault and kidnapping. It is incumbent upon parents, guardians, teachers and others who are regularly in contact with children to take the time to help them understand that there are things they can do to protect themselves from harm. NDAA welcomes this opportunity on National Missing Children’s Day to work with NCMEC to promote Take 25.”
President Ronald Reagan declared the first National Missing Children’s Day in 1983, and this special day has been recognized by each Administration since that time. This day serves as a reminder to all of us that there are far too many missing children in America and that child protection should be a national priority.
Take 25 is part of a national grassroots campaign designed to heighten awareness of the issues surrounding missing and sexually exploited children. According to an incidence study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, there were an estimated 800,000 children reported missing in 1999 – an average of 2,185 per day. Thankfully, the vast majority are located quickly. However, that same DOJ study found that approximately 58,200 children were abducted that year by non-family members. Ninety-five percent of these children were recovered alive and 47% were sexually assaulted while missing. In conjunction with NCMEC’s national partners including major public interest, law enforcement, parent and education groups, Take 25 has the potential to reach millions.
Heck concluded, “It is important that parents, guardians and those who have regular contact with children understand the positive impact they make by educating children about dangerous people and situations. It’s crucial that we not become complacent. There are no safe neighborhoods. Dangerous predators are present everywhere – from large cities to small rural communities. The Take 25 initiative serves as a potent reminder that a few minutes of our time can help save a child’s life. The NDAA along with its National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse and National Child Protection Training Center applaud the Take 25 program and are dedicated to the safety and welfare of America’s children. ”
NDAA has approximately 7,000 members who represent over 30,000 prosecutors. More than 95% of all criminal cases are tried by America’s state and local prosecutors.
CONTACT: Velva M. Walter
Director, Media Relations NDAA
703-519-1689 – Email: velva.walter@ndaa.org
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