The first cross-border Alert
in the Netherlands/Belgium/Germany
On May 8th 2013 the first cross border Alert was issued in Europe. An AMBER Alert was issued in the Netherlands after two small Dutch boys named Julian (7) and Ruben (9) went missing. Their father had committed suicide. The boys were nowhere to be found. Their lives feared to be in acute danger.
Cross Border European AMBER Alert
The Dutch police had reasons to believe the children were taken to Germany or Belgium and requested a European AMBER Alert. The alert disseminated by AMBER Alert Europe (EU), AMBER Alert (NL), ChildFocus (BE) and Initiative Vermisste Kinder (DE) became the first cross border alert issued in Europe. Sadly, the bodies of the boys were found a few weeks later. It is assumed their father took their lives before he committed suicide.
Extensive media attention in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
1.95 million people in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany were instantly informed via mobile phones, social media, Apps, etc, (1.6 million in the Netherlands). The boys’ photo was displayed on large screens throughout the Netherlands, in the Belgian province of Limburg and in North Rhine-Westphalia (DE).
This is how we make an impact
Friend or Monster?
Child sexual abuse can tragically lead to children going missing. "Friend or Monster?" provides guidance on spotting the signs of possible child sexual abuse, how to create a safe environment for your child, and whom to turn to when you suspect child sexual abuse.
International Cold Case Analysis Project
We assist in solving cold cases in cooperation with students and law enforcement experts.
Prevention
We believe that being informed is key in preventing children from going missing.