On May 3rd 2007 three-year-old Madeleine McCann was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where she was on holiday with her parents and younger sibling twins. The story has made headlines in the UK because this girl was a UK citizen. However we at UKCEC have been saying for some time that abduction can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time.

Now we at UKCEC do not want to capitalise on these news headlines but some good has come from this terrible series of events whereby child and people trafficking has been brought to the attention of the general public.

Below are links to UK news:

The last family picture of Madeleine McCann

Madeleine parents release new photograph

America, a superpower and the world's richest country, has problems too when it comes to people trafficking although both the UK and US have seen this as a problem facing mostly the developing world.

Below are links to US news:

International Child Abduction

Possible Child Abduction Reported

Here is a link to a joint venture by both the US and UK:

NSCFC: The equivalent of Amber Alert is a must here in the UK to protect our children

There has been extensive press and television coverage of little Madeleine McCann's disappearance. A government advisor was despatched to help the McCanns deal with the media. A private business jet plane is at their disposal. On May 30th 2007 they were granted an audience with the Pope (Mrs. McCann is a devout Catholic).

We at UKCEC are aware that comparisons have been drawn between the reaction to their daughter's abduction and similar previous cases. We have no wish to be drawn into controversy, merely to remind you that thousands of children are abducted and trafficked worldwide every year, sometimes with little or no publicity. All at UKCEC hope and pray that Madeleine is safe and well and will soon be reunited with her parents.

 We will update you on any future stories