Project to help find missing children

Facebook to collaborate with SAPS

KARISHMA DIPA karishma.dipa@inl.co.za

AN ONLINE international system developed to find missing youngsters has been welcomed by South African child protection organisations who insist it will go a long way in saving the lives of the most vulnerable in society.

They believe that the Amber Alert project, a collaboration between Facebook and the SAPS which was launched in the country this week, would also drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to reunite missing children with their loved ones, thanks to advancements in technology.

South Africa is the first country on the African continent and one of only 23 countries around the world, including the US, UK, Canada, Greece and Ecuador, which has received the potentially life-changing service.

During the launch in Sandton this week, National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-general Khehla Sitole told a media gathering that the system heavily relied on the South African Facebook community’s assistance to recover youngsters who have been kidnapped, run away from home or have simply vanished.

“We anticipate an influx of anonymous tip-offs emanating from the implementation of the Amber Alerts and call from South African communities to support it.”

He added that the initiative, which would commence once a child is reported missing to the police and this information would be sent directly to the social networking giants who will put together the Amber Alert and disseminate to the news feeds of those in the relevant search areas, will also massively impact the police’s investigating capacity and reduce the time it takes to find missing kids.

Save the Children South Africa’s chief executive Steve Miller agreed and told The Saturday Star that social media could certainly aid in locating missing children and applauded the efforts of both Facebook and the police for implementing the service.

“We believe in the power of collaboration in the realisation of children’s rights,” Miller said.

“Being separated from your loved ones and a familiar environment is traumatic so we believe this is a brilliant effort by Facebook and the SAPS.”

These sentiments were echoed by Missing Children South Africa whose national co-ordinator Bianca van Aswegen said the Amber Alert would bring awareness to those under the age of 18 who are missing, particularly in a country like South Africa where there had been widespread reports over the years of children being kidnapped.

“We as South Africa have a major problem with the number of children who go missing in our country, so anything that can help with this issue should be explored.”

She added the organisation had already implemented an online system in their search for missing children which was a resounding success.

“This really helps us as an organisation, as it does not just create awareness around the child that is missing, but we receive a lot of tip-offs from the public that helps us in the search for the missing child.”

But Van Aswegen warned that the Amber Alert service should be used in a responsible manner by all those involved.

Miller said while the police’s efforts to find those under the age of 18 were well-intentioned, the overall law enforcement system was failing children in South Africa.

“While there are many well-intentioned efforts, he believes that at times, the overall system is failing children in the country despite many high-profile cases being handled swiftly.”

But Van Aswegen applauded the work of the police when it came to finding missing children and said Missing Children South Africa had worked well with law enforcement agencies in this regard.

“The cases of all children under the age of 18 are directly handled by the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences and since then, we have definitely seen a quicker turnaround time with children being found.”

Meanwhile, Facebook trust and safety manager Emily Vacher told those at the launch of the service this week that these posts should not be ignored by those who notice them in the middle of their timeline as they were specifically targeted by the social networking platform as they are believed to be in the proximity of where the child was taken.

She explained that the alerts would only be sent out in rare cases and only if certain requirements were met including the age of the child, perceived to be in imminent danger and if the police have shareable information, such as physical traits of the missing child or the number plates of abductors, to share with the public.

“While every missing child is of course important, this is a special tool which is used in special circumstances,” said Vacher.

“If you see one, it is very important to know that you are marginally in a position to help find the missing child.”

We believe in the power of collaboration

Steve Miller

SAVE THE CHILDREN CHIEF EXECUTIVE