More than 43 000 miners would be missing in France. For several days, this information is broadcast on the media and social networks due to a misinterpretation of the figures released each year by the 116 000 Missing Children. In the context of the disappearance of Lina, these information flows quickly and call the emergency number to provide clarity on the reality of the disappearance of minors in France.

On the 25th of may last, on the occasion of the publication of its annual report, the emergency number indicated that 43 202 reports of disappearances of minors, had been made with the police and gendarmerie in the year 2022. It is well reported, giving rise to an entry in the File of Wanted Persons (RPF), but in no case for the actual number of miners missing : a minor who ran away, 5 times in the course of the year may give rise to 5 reports.

Figures covering multiple realities

Among these 43 202 reports, there are precisely :

• 41 518 reports of fugues (96% of total)
• 1 140 reports of disappearances disturbing (2.8% of the total)
• 544 reports ofparental child abduction (1.2% of total)

These reports are not intended, therefore, not, except in very rare exceptions, kidnapping criminals or situations in which one would not find the child. In fact, it is estimated that one-third of the runaways return to their home after a few days, a third of them in less than a month, and a third-party for which the absence may last more time, but the vast majority are found.

The 116 000 Missing Children also want to say that there is no official data on the number of minors who have disappeared in the course of a year in France and the percentage of those having been found, or vice versa.

Disappearances disturbing : that really means the expression ?

The qualifier of ' disappearance worrying , 'was about more than 1,000 reports in 2022, it is important to note, however, that any disappearance of a minor is considered problematic from the point of view of the law.

In the vast majority of these cases relate to fugues long, during which time the links with the child is distended or become non-existent. These can then be restated as disappearances worrying if we only have sufficient information on the place where would be the child or his or her state of health. In more rare cases, a death can be classified as disturbing as its notification if it is, for example, a child is particularly young, with a disability, who has expressed thoughts or being in the presence of a third-party that may represent a danger. The cases of kidnapping or criminal situations remain, fortunately, very exceptional.

Situations should not be minimized

During a fugue, a minor is subject to many hazards : physical abuse, sexual abuse, risk behaviors, addictions, crimes... These risks are becoming more prominent again when the minor fugue on multiple occasions, as is the case in more than 50% of the cases handled by the 116 000 Missing Children during the previous year. Any disappearance of a minor, even during a period short of time, must therefore be regarded with the utmost seriousness.

It is essential to be able to identify the causes of the fugue to be able to best accompany the young person and his family to prevent new episodes. In this sense, the 116 000 Missing Children, providing psychological support, legal and educational to all the families who are victims of disappearance of the child until the return of the latter and sometimes beyond when the situation requires it. This support is essential, both to support the family during the absence and to better prepare for the return of the child. In the case of parental child abduction, the monitoring unit also provides legal support valuable to parents faced with costly and time consuming procedures. This european emergency number, coordinated in France by the Foundation, Right to Childhood, is open 24h/24 and 7d/7.

Find out more :
➡️ Report 2022 on the disappearances of minors in France
➡️ Tips for parents to act in case of disappearance
➡️ View missing children in France