Protection of missing children

ASTRA received a call from a young woman worried about her 15-year-old friend, the girl who had gone missing. She gave us her friend's parents' contact details. When we reached out to them, they were understandably upset. It turned out this wasn't the first time their daughter had run away from home. They shared details about her disappearance and gave other helpful information regarding the circumstances of the runaway from home.

The police were already on the case and soon located the girl. We stayed involved to support her family. As we got to know the girl, we realized there were deep issues within her family and immediate surroundings. Unfortunately, during her time away, she had been in contact with someone who was under investigation for sexual exploitation before. This all means she'll need long-term support and legal help.

After discussing her situation with other agencies, we created a joint protection and support plan. We built trust with her, providing books and school supplies to encourage her studies. With the help of her teachers, we're assisting her in preparing for exams so she can continue her education.

Despite her challenges, this girl shows remarkable resilience. She's bright, funny, and caring. Despite the hurdles she faces, she dreams of becoming a doctor and plans to pursue that goal by enrolling in medical school.

The ASTRA Victim Support Unit and its interventions show that the individual approach is the best way to be supportive in the appropriate manner. Individual donations show recognition of the urgent needs of our clients and provide support at once when they need it. One of the lessons learned is certainly that solidarity and support are irreplaceable and necessary to our beneficiaries.