Information for parents

• Notify police immediately if:

  1. the child is younger than 12
  2. the child is physically and/or mentally disabled
  3. the child is in need of direct medical attention
  4. the child disappeared under suspicious circumstances.

• Remain calm, ask family members, friends or neighbors to help you.

• If a small child is missing, start by looking in places where the child could be in danger,  such as ponds or canals, the street, a place where dangerous products are kept, and so on, before you check out locations, where the child may be, but is not in any danger. Keep in mind that small children sometimes hide somewhere and then fall asleep.

• Make sure that you can be reached by phone, and that police have not only information concerning the missing person, but also your name, address and phone number.

• If it can be assumed that the missing child is not in any direct danger, it is wise to attempt to locate the child yourself. If such attempts fail, notify police.

• Get others to check the area and to help search by using the phone, calling family, friends and acquaintances. Ask the people being called to join in the search.

• Check the child's room for clues, but disturb as little as possible in case police wants to conduct a search of the room later.

• If you can read Dutch, download the brochure 'Wat te doen bij vermissing'. (It is not available in English).

• To conduct a proper search, it is necessary for police to have a picture of your child, which provides a good resemblance. The most recent picture, taken at the child's school by a photographer, is suitable. If such a picture is not being taken regularly, consider having a portrait photo of your child taken at least once a year.

Is your child missing? Has a missing persons report been filed with police? Would you like to have information about your child, and its photograph, to be displayed on this web site? Please contact local police who assisted you when you reported your child as missing. They can arrange for the picture of your child to be put on this web site.

You will need a good-resemblance photograph of your child and you will be asked to sign a consent form.

    The Missing Persons Helpline

On May 1st, 2001 the Dutch Red Cross officially started the "Meldpunt Vermisten". From January 1st, 2007 its name has been changed to "Missing Persons Helpline".
 

Whom is the Missing Persons Helpline meant for?

The Missing Persons Helpline is available to assist you, when somebody close to you goes missing and you don't know what to do. The Helpline staff will listen to you and will assist you to organize matters. The Helpline does not investigate missing persons case, but they will also advise you on what you yourself can do to find the missing person.

The Missing Persons Helpline offers:

• Advice, information and emotional support during the disappearance.
• Publishing a description of- or open letter to the missing person on our website
• Information about other organizations dealing with missing persons
• Advice on your contacts with the media and the police.

For those left behind and missing persons

The Missing Persons Helpline also assists people who are missing, for example if you have left because of problems at home or at work. If you are missing, but you don't want to be found, the Helpline could inform your relatives. They will not inform them about your location if you do not want them to. They will help everybody, young and old. There will be no charge and all information is treated confidentially.

You can reach the Missing Persons Helpline 24/7 at their toll-free number 0800 - VERMIST / 0800 83 76 468 if calling within The Netherlands, or +31 70 44 55 618 if calling from abroad. Outside of office hours a limited service is offered. More information (also in English) can be found at Hulplijn Vermiste Personen and you can email to vermistepersonen@redcross.nl. You will be contacted on the first business day.