Concern about missing and exploited children gained national prominence in 1981 when Adam Walsh, the 6-year-old son of John and Reve Walsh was abducted and subsequently found murdered. A year later, with the help of other parents of abducted children, the Walshes worked for the passage of the Missing Children's Act of 1982 and later for the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984, to assist in recovering such children and bringing perpetrators to justice. The Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children Protection Act that was instituted in 1999 reauthorised and amended the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984. This book presents an overview of the issues that face the legislation pertaining to missing and exploited children. In addition, the book discusses the various efforts that are being taken to enhance the ability to locate the missing children. Contents: Preface; Missing and Exploited Children: Overview and Policy Concerns; The Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children Protection Act (MERCPA): Appropriations and Reauthorisation; Bibliography; Index.

Investigation of Missing & Exploited Children: The Gateway of Child Sex Trafficking is designed to provide the essential knowledge needed to identify and understand the issues and solutions that effectively combat the evils of domestic child sex trafficking in the United States. It is both an instructional guide and a resource manual for both the citizen and the government manager. The approach is direct and concise, which facilitates comprehension by novices as well as experienced public servants. The purpose of this book is to fill the existing need within the field of public and private prevention/investigation of runaways for a precise, comprehensive manual detailing the elements necessary for the elimination of turning vulnerable children into sex slaves. There is a lack of professional resources on preventing child sex trafficking currently available. Investigation of Missing & Exploited Children: The Gateway of Child Sex Trafficking will help fill this void