PRESS RELEASE Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Releases New Guide Written By and For Siblings of Missing Children Washington, D.C. – The Office of Justice Programs' Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention today released "What About Me? Finding Your Path Forward When Your Brother or Sister Is Missing." This powerful new guide, which was developed by siblings of missing children to help others experiencing the ordeal of a missing brother or sister, provides crucial support and insight from a unique perspective, highlighting the profound impact a missing child has on the entire family. While some missing children cases capture the nation's attention, countless others do not. Yet, in all these cases, the central tragedy remains—a child is missing and any sense of normalcy is lost. As the media, police and community may focus on the parents, who are pulled in many directions, siblings, who share an irreplaceable bond with their missing brother or sister, are deeply affected as well. These siblings offer their insights and advice for friends, teachers, counselors, family members and parents grappling with how to cope and how to help. Developed through OJJDP's AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program, the What About Me? guide provides practical tools, heartfelt testimonials and valuable resources to help siblings navigate this painful experience. Through personal accounts, siblings share their journeys toward finding answers, peace and acceptance. The guide offers a candid look at what to expect and how siblings can care for themselves, find support and access resources to help them through this challenging and unfamiliar path when their family dynamics are altered. As one of the contributors explained, "There will always be a 'before' what happened and an 'after.'" The statement captures the profound shift in how they view their life. "As the OJJDP Administrator, I have had the privilege of meeting with families of missing children," said Liz Ryan. "Their resilience and desire to help others in similar situations are truly inspiring. The guide captures the siblings' fortitude, grace and outlook that despite being forced to grow up faster, they have also grown up stronger, and their example offers a way forward for others." In 2023, more than 375,000 reports of missing children were made, and while most returned home or were found, many remain missing. The contributors emphasize that despite the pain suffered by their siblings, life continues to offer possibilities: "We have learned that life does go on, that it still holds much that is good and satisfying, and that we can and should dare to hope things will get better still." OJJDP is steadfastly committed to the goal of bringing every child home. It leads the nation in observing Missing Children's Day, which was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 in memory of 6-year-old Etan Patz, who was abducted while walking to his bus stop in Manhattan on May 25, 1979. This annual observance honors his memory and children who are still missing. More information can be found here. |
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