I selected this social problem because of the deep passion and addiction i have for crime television. One day I realized how many child abductions and child predators are really out there, and how many lives are taken and destroyed because of it. When it comes to the statistics on child abductions and child predators the facts are very disturbing. In a study 403 attempted kidnappings by a stranger or a slight acquaintance were reported by the police or news media in 45 states from February 2005 to July 2006.
"About one child is slain per 10,000 missing child reports.(1990 U.S. Justice Dept.) In 80% of abductions by strangers, the first contact occurs within a quarter mile of the child's home. In many cases, the abduction does, too. (1990 U.S. Justice Dept.) Most strangers grab their victims on the street or try to lure them into their vehicles. (1990 U.S. Justice Dept.) About 74% of the victims of non family child abduction are girls. (1990 U.S. Justice Dept.) In 1988 there were as many as 114,600 attempted abductions of children by non-family members, 4,600 abductions by non-family members reported to police, and 300 abductions by non-family members where the children were gone for long periods of time or were murdered. There were as many as 354,000 children abducted by family members, 450,700 children who ran away, 127,100 children who were thrown away, and 438,200 children who were lost, injured or otherwise missing. (1990 U.S. Justice Dept.) In a recent study of parents' worries by pediatricians at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, nearly 3/4 of parents said they feared their children might be abducted. 1/3 of parents said this was a frequent worry-a degree of fear greater than that held for any other concern, including car accidents, sports injuries, or drug addiction. (Redbook, February 1998) More than 1/5 of the children reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited...