National Runaway Prevention Month: A Call to Action to Protect Vulnerable Youth
November 2024 – This November, National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) brings critical awareness to the complex challenges facing runaway and homeless youth across Canada. This annual campaign, held throughout the month, aims to educate the public, raise awareness, and prevent youth from running away through supportive services, advocacy, and education.
Each year, more than 60,000 missing person reports are filed with Canadian police, with an astounding 88% of these cases involving runaways.
NRPM serves as a national call to action for communities, families, and organizations to come together in support of at-risk youth. The campaign sheds light on the alarming dangers faced by missing children, who are at heightened risk of high-risk activities such as substance misuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and, in some tragic cases, the risk of death. Regardless of the reasons a child may go missing, each of these young individuals is in need of immediate protection and resources. Preventing runaway situations before they occur is a crucial part of safeguarding the wellbeing and futures of these youth.
How You Can Support National Runaway Prevention Month
This month, Canadians are invited to stand in solidarity with the nation’s youth by raising awareness about runaway and homeless youth and the urgent need for prevention. Show your support by wearing green on November 14, 2024, as a visible symbol of your commitment to youth safety. Additionally, consider registering for MCSC rescu Child Search Alerts, a free system that sends SMS alerts when high-risk children go missing in your area. By registering for alerts, you can play a part in helping to locate missing children faster, before dangers become reality. Visit MCSC rescu to register at no cost.
A Nationwide Initiative for Youth Empowerment
Throughout November, the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) will shine a spotlight on runaway and homeless youth. MCSC is focused on raising public awareness, promoting preventive strategies, and empowering youth with resources and options. When youth understand they have safe and supportive alternatives, they are less likely to feel that running away is their only option. Every child deserves safety, security, and a voice, and by working together, we can make this a reality. Canadians can follow MCSC’s activities and updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help spread the word.
Join the Movement for Youth Safety
MCSC urges the public to take part in National Runaway Prevention Month by joining efforts to raise awareness, understand the challenges youth face, and contribute to creating a safer, more supportive community for young people. When we act together, we ensure youth receive the support they deserve.
For more information on National Runaway Prevention Month, MCSC’s mission, or to register for MCSC rescu Child Search Alerts, visit www.mcsc.ca.
About Missing Children Society of Canada:
The Missing Children Society of Canada's (MCSC) mandate is to help return missing children to a safe environment. The organization established in 1986 has evolved from one distributing posters to find a missing child to one embracing the latest technology to help police in the search for that child.
MCSC also reaches out to enlist the help of other professionals in the search and location of missing children in addition to working with traditional media and online/social media to bring public awareness to cases of missing kids.
MCSC provides affected families with knowledge and resources throughout the search and reunification while ensuring that all its programs are free so that all families in need of help receive it, regardless of their financial situation.
Contact:
1-800-661-6160