Amber Alert
What is Amber Alert ?
An Amber Alert is a public notification system used to spread information about missing or abducted children. It was created in 1996 in the United States and is now used in various countries. The system broadcasts alerts via radio, TV, and digital platforms, providing details like the child’s description, abductor’s information, and vehicle details (if available). The goal is to quickly mobilize the public to help locate the child and bring them to safety.
The name “Amber Alert” stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response” and is named after Amber Hagerman, a young girl who was abducted and murdered in 1996.
Amber Alert messages are sent using Cell Broadcast or Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) systems. Through this system, notifications are directly sent to mobile devices via mobile network towers within a specific area. This ensures that all mobile devices within the range of the alert receive the emergency warning instantly.
Why Amber Alert is Important in Bangladesh
In the first ten months of 2024 (January to October), 482 women were victims of physical abuse, violence, rape, abduction, and murder, including cases where bodies were discovered after being missing. During the same period in 2023, this number was 421. This indicates an increase of 61 victims in 2024 compared to the previous year.
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), 1,133 missing children have been successfully located through the use of the AMBER Alert system in the United States.
Bangladesh should implement the AMBER Alert system to improve child safety and locate missing children quickly. Such a system could help prevent child trafficking, abduction, and other threats by enabling real-time alerts through mobile networks and media. By leveraging technology and collaboration between law enforcement and the public, AMBER Alerts could enhance response times, increase public awareness, and save lives. This would align Bangladesh with global best practices for child protection and ensure better outcomes for vulnerable children.