Brittany Fish’s case became known across the entire country after she was kidnapped, and miraculously found alive. But most children who are abducted by someone they don’t know – aren’t always that fortunate.
Brittany Fish, now 19, sat down exclusively last month with Spectrum News' Brittani Moncrease to describe her tragedy as it unfolded 14 years ago. The second part in a five-piece series debuts at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Timeliness is everything in missing child cases – Brittany was found in less than 24-hours – but not every child is. The more time that passes, the less likely it is to find the child alive, if at all.
While statistics show that the majority of these cases involve runaways or family abductions – there are ways to help protect your children.
Spectrum News reporter Brittany Moncrease sat down with the now 19-year-old child abuse and abduction victim, and put together some resources family members should know, and go over with kids.
Syracuse’s McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center
There are multiple forms of child abuse including child neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse. Here are some safety tips from the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center to help prevent child abuse.
Tips for children:
- Say ‘No!’
- Run away to the closest, safe adult.
- Tell that adult what happened.
- Discuss with parents a safety plan in case of an emergency.
Tips for adults:
- Identify parts of the body
- Discuss the Touching Rule (No one should ever touch your private areas)
- Talk about boundaries
- Children Touching Other Children (Discuss appropriate and healthy behaviors with youth)
- Let your child know that he or she can tell you anything
- Use affirming language and powerful messages
Quick facts on child abuse:
- In more than 90%, children know their abusers.
- Most children do not tell.
- 1 in 10 children will suffer some form of sexual abuse before turning 18-years old.
- 70% of child abuse and neglect fatalities involve children younger than 4-years old.
- Nearly five children die every day as a result of child abuse.
- Every 8 minutes a child is sexually abuse in the United States.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
How can I prepare myself in case my child becomes missing?
- Keep a complete and current written description of your child/children
- Take color photos of your child every six months or more
- Know your child’s medical and dental records and where to locate them.
- Contact your local law enforcement to see if they offer fingerprinting for children
- Collect a DNA sample from your child.
Most common missing child cases involve runaways, family abductions, and lost, injured or otherwise missing children. The cases seen the least are non-family abductions.