This year's major prevention campaign for the International Missing Children's Day, which is held on 25 May, aims to provide guidance to parents and caregivers on what to do if a child suddenly disappears.

Today, the Slovenian police, in cooperation with the Amber Alert Europe Foundation and police forces from other countries, are joining the pan-European campaign "Check. Think. Report.", which provides a step-by-step guide for parents and caregivers on how to respond quickly and effectively when a child goes missing. It focuses on three key responses: "check" to confirm the child's disappearance, "think" to get the key details and assess the situation, and "report" to inform the police as soon as possible.

Every year, thousands of families in Europe are traumatised by the loss of a child. According to PEN-MP, the Police Expert Network on Missing Persons, at least 100,000 children go missing in the European Union every year. In such difficult moments, it is very important to know what to do and which steps are the most important. This year's campaign will provide parents and caregivers with important information and guidance to help them act quickly and effectively when a child goes missing.

Damjan Miklič of the Criminal Police Directorate says that "the largest number of missing persons in Slovenia are adults and elderly people, especially those with age-related illnesses, and persons lost in the mountains or other natural environments. Children and adolescents account for one third of all missing persons. Most missing children are reported very quickly, and almost 90% are found within four hours. Fortunately, all children are found alive and unharmed. For many years, the police have been pointing out that you do not have to wait 24 or 48 hours to report a missing person. On the contrary, the police encourage everyone to report a missing person as soon as possible so that we can immediately take the necessary action."

When a child goes missing, parents and caregivers face significant challenges. "Check. Think. Report." is a simple step-by-step approach designed by law enforcement experts to help you find your missing child.

"The 'Check. Think. Report.' campaign is a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect children and support families in times of crisis," says Frank Hoen, Founder and Chairman of Amber Alert Europe. "By equipping parents with the knowledge and resources they need, we aim to improve response times and increase the chances of reuniting missing children with their loved ones safely and quickly."

More information on this year's prevention campaign is available on the Amber Alert website .