They're Missing Too: Why Runaway Children Need Our Help

Did you know that the majority of missing children are not abducted by a stranger? In fact, more than 90% of the children reported missing to NCMEC last year ran away. And while it may seem that these cases are less critical, at NCMEC, we know that’s far from the case.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to children who run. One common belief is that these kids are not truly in danger because they choose to leave voluntarily and will eventually return. And while it may be true that many children make the decision to leave, the risks they face once they’re out in the world alone are tremendous: homelessness, sexual and physical abuse, exposure to substance abuse and child sex trafficking.

In 2024 alone, there were more than 29,000 missing child cases reported to NCMEC, and of those, over 27,000 were classified as endangered runaways. One in seven were likely victims of child sex trafficking.

Reports to NCMEC in 2024 of missing children cases by type. (Courtesy of NCMEC)

There are many reasons why children run, but one scenario we’re seeing on the rise here at NCMEC is online enticement. This occurs when someone is communicating with a child online with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction. We see many circumstances where a child may believe they are in a romantic relationship with someone they’ve met online and decide to leave home to meet that person. And though they may leave voluntarily, they can find themselves trapped or in danger.

In today’s world of constantly evolving technology, parents and guardians play a crucial role in talking with children about the risks of communicating with strangers online. Having these conversations can make a real difference in keeping our kids safe. NCMEC has free resources for parents, guardians and educators, including tips on starting difficult conversations and age-appropriate content, so kids learn what they need to know effectively.

The National Runaway Safeline (NRS), a longtime partner of NCMEC, provides resources and support for runaway youth. This November, NRS is launching their Youth HOPE Month campaign to raise awareness on youth homelessness. NRS is inviting everyone to show their support for youth in crisis by participating in "Wear Green Day" on November 13. NCMEC will be, and so should you!

NRS has a toolkit with educational materials for families and professionals to help prevent youth from running away and to support those who have gone missing. You can access the toolkit here: https://www.1800runaway.org/prevention-education/youth-hope-month.

It is important to remember that children who run away are missing children, too. At NCMEC, we know that providing resources, supporting families and raising awareness can make a difference. By doing this, we change perceptions, bring hope to those still searching and help people understand how to respond to these endangered runaway cases.