A missing child is any parents’ greatest fear. The Pink Ladies Organisation for Missing Children advised the community on what to do when a child goes missing.
Jacqui Thomas, the director and co-founder of The Pink Ladies, said parents should contact the SAPS immediately when a child goes missing.
When reporting a missing child to SAPS, remember the following:
• Provide law enforcement with your child’s name, date of birth, height, weight, and descriptions of any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you noticed your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.
• Produce a recent photograph of the missing person, if possible.
• Give a complete description of the missing person’s last whereabouts, clothes that they were wearing, as well as any information that can assist the investigating officer.
• Complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form. This form safeguards the SAPS from hoax reports and indemnifies the SAPS to distribute the photograph and information of the missing person.
• Obtain the investigating officer’s contact details, and send any additional information that might become available.
Inform the investigating officer immediately when a person has been found.
An SAPS 92 form must be completed to inform the Bureau of Missing Persons that the missing person’s report can be removed from the circulation system.
Thomas said there is not, nor has there ever been, a 24 hour waiting period to report a child missing. “What we refer to as the ‘golden hour’ is key, especially in the case of a very young, endangered or mentally challenged child,” said Thomas.
“If the child has gone missing from out in the open, search the streets in close proximity. Always ensure that a trusted person who is familiar with or knows the child’s name and description remains in the immediate area from where the child went missing.”
She said if the child goes missing in a shopping centre or shop, notify the manager or security office.
Once the SAPS has provided an OB (observation) or CAS (case number), complete the Pink Ladies Missing Persons report and email to missing@pinkladies.org.za or WhatsApp to 072 214 7439.
Thomas said there are many trends which lead to missing children such as peer pressure, psychological and physical abuse, poverty, lack of supervision, child headed households, mental illness, concentrations of ‘stranger’ adults with young children and alcohol and drug abuse.
Thomas provided the following advice:
For parents and children in public spaces:
All parents should take steps to ensure that if their children stray, they can be easily found. Know their friends and their favourite hangouts.
Eating out
If you’re going out for a meal, get together with another family you trust and take it turns to babysit. Alternatively, take your children with you. Many popular restaurants have child-minding services / monitored play areas.
On holiday
When booking a room or apartment ask about balconies and whether they are safe for young children. They shouldn’t have wide railings that little ones could squeeze through, and must be high enough so that toddlers can’t climb over them.
In public and traffic
Know the proximity of public transport to where you live or are on holiday. Make a mental note of where your child might end up, should they wander off and board a bus or train.
Check what’s on the other side of nearby fire escapes, as your child could have access to a busy road. Ensure they know which side of the road the traffic will come from.
Build confidence in your children, so that if they do end up in a threatening situation they will know how to behave.
Teach them about the responsible use of cellphones, internet and social media.
Tell them that if someone tries to grab them they should STOP, DROP, KICK and SCREAM.
