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Missing & Exploited Children's Association of Maryland
In 2002
- 12,100 children were abducted by non-family members
- 58,500 children were abducted by family members
- 61,900 children were listed as involuntary missing or lost
- 1,000,000 children ran away from home
- 86% of runaways were between the ages of 14-17
- 76% of runaways were female


Some runaways are returned home, some return home of their own accord, many end up on the street as prey to those who exploit them for sexual purposes. Young juveniles (under the age of 12) are most likely to be sexually assaulted by persons under age 18 while older juveniles (ages 12 to 17) are most likely to be sexually assaulted by young adults ages 18 to 24.
"The Nation's Silent Mass Disaster", National Institute of Justice , January 2007.