Missing Children

INTRODUCTION Over the years our country, Malaysia has been bombarded with abundance of missing children/ children abduction cases. A statistic released by police of Malaysia, stated that a total of 3223 children below 18 went missing between 2008 and April last year (2012). Of this figure, only about 1000 cases were solved. From the statistic, it’s clearly shown that, over 3223 cases reported 2223 cases still unsolved. The questions are, how does it happen? Who should be blamed? What the impact of this scenario? And what are the best ways to prevent children from missing?Thus, in this essay, the priority will be given to the causes, the effects and some suggestions to overcome missing children cases. THE CAUSES OF MISSING CHILDREN Figure 1 : The Causes Of Missing Children Family Problems This is the prominent causes of the missing children cases happened not just in Malaysia but also around the globe. Many people agree with it as basically, parents play an important role on ho w to nurture the family, to treat the children and to solve any problems happen to the members of the family.Family problems can be included in term of financial problem, misunderstanding among family members and lack of intention and in search of freedom. When a certain family is having some financial problems, it will slightly affect the children because children actually are still young to know any problems related to the financial status of their family. So, parents should aware about this problem, never reveal or expose any financial problem to your children. Apart from that, children need intention from their family.They are still young and at these ages (below 18) they really need the intention from their family or parents negligence. If they do not get the full intention from the family, they might be in influenced in much bad behaviour like vandalism, gangsterism and they might tend to run away from home. Hence, ever Picture 1 : parents have to play an important role in rai sing up the children. Peer Influence When the children do not get the full intention from their parents, they tend to share their problems with their friends. They share most everything with their friends from school issues to their feelings.Sometimes the missing of children happens because of love matter. At these ages they are easily falling in love with somebody. This is because those children feel that their lover can give them freedom and better life. Picture 2 : peers have the ability to influence the children to be good or bad Job Opportunities Lastly, the cause that leads to children missing is the job opportunities. It usually happens to the children that don’t like to go for education at school. They think that education is just wasting their time, so they quit their school and start working.However, parents usually prohibit them from working because this is not a time for them to find money and work. Then, when the children don’t be given the opportunity to work, they decide to run away from home and work. THE EFFECTS OF MISSING CHILDREN Penalising Errant Parents People argue that we need to blame the parents first because of the missing children cases. It is because; they are the ones who close to their children more than anyone else. It is therefore, not surprising that more and more voice are being raised in favour of penalising errant parents.According to the law, these errant parents will be penalised under Section 33 of the Child Act 2001 that result them to be liable to a fine not exceeding RM 5000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both. Section 33 of the Child Act 2001| Provides that any person who, being a parent, guardian or person with temporary care of a child, leave that child 😠 * Without making reasonable provision for the supervision and care of the child;| * For a period which is unreasonable having regard to all the circumstances; or | * Under conditions which are unreasonable having regard t o all the circumstances. Commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM 5000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both. | Figure 2 : Section 33 of the Child Act 2001 The Missing Children Life And Safety Are Not Guaranteed. In some cases, not all missing children reported that they are running away from home. It is because they might be missing due to the kidnap. Those children who are kidnaped by the criminals might live in a dangerous and awful life. Some of them are kidnaped to be slaves of criminals; helping the criminals to find money just like what is happening in our countries.These children are forced to become beggars and ask donation from the public. In some other cases, we may find out that those children are forced to become prostitutes. This happens mostly in Middle Eastern Countries. The world we live in is no stranger to one of the biggest reasons many of our children disappear without a trace. Many children are abduc ted and sold for body parts throughout the United States, Central America, South America and Europe. The Internet has become one of the greatest sources of business and the organized underground business is one of the most successful businesses anywhere in the world.Can you imagine having the need of life and searching the Internet and finding a broker who can find you the organ of your choice? Here in the U. S. A. , in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, anywhere in Central, North and South America, anywhere for a price you can pay for and get the organ of your choice. If you don't believe it, search the net right here right now in Orange County, New York or anyplace in the world. Many missing children are abducted and sold for these body parts. This is a multi-million dollar a year business. Be careful when your child is talking to a friendly little girl in a chat room.The Internet is worldwide and sometimes deceptive. The chat room your child uses could be somewhere in Mexico or New York, India, The Middle east or Korea. Your child could be talking to anyone, anywhere with the touch of a button, so close. SUGGESTIONS TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM GOING MISSING. * Do not leave children unsupervised in public places. Children especially in early ages between 4 to 9 years old cannot handle themselves very well. They need someone to rely on. So, never leave your children unsupervised especially in public places because they don’t know what to do and to whom they should rely on. Teach children to be suspicious of strangers and not be lured by them. It is a good technique that every parent should implement to their children, teach your children to be suspicious of strangers and not to be lured by them. We cannot simply believe in strangers that we meet. Maybe they are bad people that intend to kidnap your children. * Teach children how to respond in dangerous situations. Next, parents should teach their children to respond in dangerous situation. So, when it comes to any dangerous situations they will be able to react and find the solution. * Make sure children keep a note with emergency contact numbers.Furthermore, good parents are them who always make sure that their children memorize and keep a note with emergency contact number especially the official contact number of police. So, when it comes to the dangerous situation, your children will be able to call for help. * Society should be alert to, and help, children seen to be wandering around alone. Here, the highlight will be the society. We should never rely on parents only. Society also has to play their role in preventing children from going missing. When we see any children wandering around alone, we need to take action by helping them to find their home.CONCLUSION All in all, we can conclude that missing children is not a case that we should not pay attention. This issue has been discussed around the year for years and still happen in many countries. We need to aware that children a re the asset of the country, they are precious and we need keep them safe from any harm. Ultimately, each of us including parents, teachers and society has to play an important role to curb children missing. We need to cooperate together to find solutions of this issue. Together we can create a better life and place for our children.