Be alert!

Your child can go missing!!

By Sajitha PREMATUNGE

Two-and-half-year-old Senuthi Limansa Mapalagama who had come with her parents to the Kelaniya temple to worship went missing on May 9. Lucky for her and her parents, due to the publicity received from the media Senuthi Limansa was reunited with her family less than 48 hours later. But one-and-half-year-old Sithum Sathsara of Wattala is still missing without a trace. Judging by reports that have lately begun to dominate news, it is clear that cases of missing children are on the rise.

Although one can blame the deteriorating society, parents are also partly responsible for such situations. "Parents have over confidence in our society" said Jagath Wellawatta, Sociologist and former Chairman, National Child Protection Authority. "We think that children are protected in public places such as temples. But a criminal could be anywhere." He advised that parents should always be on the alert about their children. If they cannot, they should leave the child in the care of someone trustworthy.

Inspector General of Police, Mahinda Balasuriya has urged parents to be more alert regarding their children's security - especially when in public places.

Jagath Wellawatta went on to explain that as pressure from the government on drug trafficking and pornography increases, people involved in such business may resort to child trafficking as an alternate source of employment. "There is a great danger this could become a whole new industry."

He said that because of strict child labour laws there exists a huge gap between demand and supply of children. Moreover children are kidnapped for ransom as well as sacrifices for treasure hunts. Kidnapping children for ransom has increased because parents are willing to pay any amount to save their children.

"The penalty for kidnapping is 20 years in prison according to Sri Lankan law" said Chief Inspector Buddhika Balachandra, Officer-in-Charge, Women and Children's Bureau.

Legal action can be taken against even those who fail to inform the authorities of a missing child's whereabouts.

He said that most of these cases could have been easily avoided had the parents been more alert. "Some parents go shopping in malls and eat at restaurants leaving the children in kid's parks and play areas."

A recent case that came to the attention of the Women and Children's Bureau where a man who made an acquaintance with a seven-year-old boy in a famous shopping mall later took him out of his school and taken him to the same shopping mall shows how careless parents can be.

He said that parents do not see the danger in such negligence. He pointed out that children can be kidnapped for a number of reasons.

"It could be to satiate one's carnal lust, for ransom or for illegal adoption. But there is no telling for which reason a certain child is kidnapped" said OIC Buddhika Balachandra. Parents often send their children to neighbouring houses to stay over night, to parties and on trips of which the repercussions may affect the child's whole life.

While it is important to avoid such unpleasant circumstances by always being on the alert, OIC Balachandra said that it is also very important to observe any subtle differences in behaviour that the child may demonstrate.

For example if a child does not react to an obscene photograph or a scene, it suggests an abnormal shift in the psychology of the child. Furthermore if a child is repelled by or scared of a certain person it may suggest that the child has been sexually used by that person.

The greatest role in finding a lost child lies with the society and media explained Jagath Wellawatta, "But the best option would be not to loose the child in the first place by being on the alert about your children."

One of the major reasons for cases of missing children as pointed out by OIC Balachandra, is that parents are too preoccupied to pay enough attention to their children.

"Children need to be taken care of because you just can not keep track of them with a transmitter collar."

What to do when a child is missing

Better to be safe

It is always better to be safe than sorry and prepare an `Identification Kit' kit of children in case they go missing. This kit should include latest clear photographs (preferably a full-length and front facing photograph. It is recommended that a new picture of any child be taken every three to six months if possible.), foot and fingerprints, birth certificate, medical history, passport, dental records, X-rays.

Try to keep a mental note of what your child is wearing each day.

Do not play detective, inform the police right away. Law enforcement officers have special training to handle specific incidents. Provide the police with the child's name, any nicknames used, date of birth, height, weight, and any other unique identifiers such as birthmarks, scars, dimples, cleft palates, and physical disabilities or any appliances such as braces and eyeglasses. Also inform them of anything else the child might have been carrying at the time, such as a toy, money.

Tell them when you noticed the child missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.

Every detail counts

Simple observations like short cropped woman in a pair of blue shorts and a red blouse had been hanging around near the child, as in the case of missing Senuthi Limansa, can be of vital importance

If you have a suspect in mind and if the suspect is known to you provide the police with a photo of the suspect, an address, telephone number and any other available information. Make sure to tell the police about any suspicious people in the neighbourhood or anyone who had shown undue interest in your child, no matter who they are, including extended family members, household helpers or workers.

What parents can do

If the child is missing from home, search the house; inside closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside large appliances (such as washing machines and driers), and inside vehicles, including trunks. Search any enclosed areas the child may have become entrapped. But take care not to disturb valuable evidence before the police arrive.

While searching, yell the child's name loud and clear.

Have someone - that your child knows - at home to answer the phone - preferably with Caller ID facility - at all times, in case the child calls.

Stay calm

Conduct a telephone search. Contact neighbours, friends and relatives, but keep your line clear for any important calls.

Time is precious

Luckily Senuthi Limansa, who went missing was found within 48 hours.

The more time passes, the lesser the chances are of finding the missing child.

There is no argument that the first 48 hours are of critical importance and media play a responsible role in informing the public. Contact radio, television and newspapers at the advice of the police.

In the case of Senuthi Limansa a neighbour had recognized the child when the accused had come in request for a pair of slippers.

And the wide publicity given by media resulted in the tip off - that the suspect had taken two calls from a communications centre in Peliyagoda - that helped to ultimately reunite Senuthi and her parents.

Take care of yourself

Although this is easier said than done do not despair.

Finding a missing child requires presence of mind and good judgment. And do not lose hope.