by Brianna Crandall — ?November 12, 2014—Global security professionals organization ASIS International (ASIS) and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) are collaborating on the development of an online training module focusing on what private security professionals need to know about child victimization, since they are often in a front-line position to observe and offer immediate assistance to children who need help.
The training is currently being piloted in both face-to-face and online formats in preparation for a January 2015 launch. NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working with law enforcement, families and the professionals who serve them on issues relating to missing and sexually exploited children.
“Many of our 25,000+ U.S.-based members are in positions to observe, identify, and assist children who may be victims in their places of business. This training is critical to ensure that members, as well as their staff, have the knowledge to take the appropriate action and to support local law enforcement in keeping our children safe and secure,” stated ASIS President Richard E. Widup, Jr., CPP.
Kristen Anderson, NCMEC Executive Director of Training, sees it as a win-win venture. “This is a force multiplier for law enforcement. Providing training and building awareness for private security professionals means there are thousands more eyes and ears across the country who may observe, report and potentially intervene on behalf of a child.”
The one-hour, self-paced module will discuss the nature and scope of missing and exploited children in the United States, what the private security officer needs to know in order to assist law enforcement, aspects of victim behavior, and how to access additional resources. Covenant Aviation Security, LLC and G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc. have hosted face-to-face pilots of the developing program to assist ASIS and NCMEC in finalizing content.
“By completing this training, security personnel and law enforcement personnel can quickly move on a coordinated response, saving valuable time, when minutes really matter,” said Drew Levine, president, G4S North America. “It is a privilege to be a part of this public-private partnership to help find missing and exploited children.”
This initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASIS and NCMEC in January 2013.
