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National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

An OJJDP partner, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children© (NCMEC) serves as an information clearinghouse and national resource center on issues related to victims, missing and exploited children and operates a national toll-free hotline.
Description

Overview

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children© (NCMEC), serves as an information clearinghouse and national resource center on issues related to victims, missing and exploited children and operates a national toll-free hotline.

In furtherance of its private mission, in partnership with OJJDP, NCMEC provides resources, technical assistance, and prevention services to victims, families and the public, as well as support to law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels in cases involving missing and exploited children. NCMEC's 24-hour hotline, 800–THE–LOST© (1–800–843–5678) has received more than 5 million calls in the last 37 years. Additionally, NCMEC operates the CyberTipline© the nation's centralized reporting system for suspected child sexual exploitation.

NCMEC serves as a partner with OJP and OJJDP as the missing children clearinghouse and in secondary distribution of reports on behalf of AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) coordinators.

In fiscal year (FY) 2022, NCMEC helped resolve cases involving 27,699 children who were reported missing. The CyberTipline received and made available to law enforcement 31.7 million reports regarding  child sexual exploitation or online harm to children. NCMEC received 113,173 calls on its hotline, and law enforcement officials worked with the center to identify 4,745 victims of child abuse sexual material who were documented in the Child Victim Identification Program. 

Funding

In FY 2023, OJJDP awarded NCMEC $41,383,391 to fund its activities. The center received an additional $6 million through an interagency service agreement between OJJDP and the U.S. Secret Service. 

FY 2023–$47,383,391
FY 2022–$44,700,000
FY 2021–$36,922,517

Contacts

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
333 John Carlyle Street, Suite #125
Alexandria, VA 22314-5950
703–224–2150
703–224–2122 (fax)
http://www.missingkids.org/

Resources

This video from NCMEC program provides an overview of how NCMEC supports parents, communities, and law enforcement.


Additional Resources

AMBER Alert
Provides an overview of AMBER Alert efforts by OJP and includes strategies, publications, and training events.

CyberTipline
Receives reports from the public and electronic service providers regarding child sexual exploitation.

Is Your Child Missing?
Report information about a missing child to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's 24-hour hotline at 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678). 

OJJDP-Sponsored Publications