Adam Walsh: A Legacy of Hope
In July 1981, the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh sent shockwaves across the country and in many ways, exposed the vulnerabilities of children and the urgent need for better protection and support systems for missing youth.
The devastating event became a turning point, compelling Adam’s parents, John and Revé Walsh, to channel their grief into a mission to protect children everywhere. Their relentless advocacy led to the creation of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) in 1984.
Today, Adam’s name is synonymous with child safety, representing a powerful legacy that has transformed how America responds to child abductions and exploitation. Here at NCMEC, we are proud of the programs and initiatives that bear Adam’s name, ensuring that his memory is honored, and children everywhere are protected.
Code Adam:
When Adam went missing from a department store in 1981, there weren’t really any specific protocols for businesses on what to do if a child went missing from their store. Today, NCMEC has Code Adam.
Code Adam was designed to help establishments ensure they have safety protocols in place to respond quickly and effectively to situations involving a missing child. Sponsored by Old Navy, Code Adam is one of the largest child safety programs in the country.
Team Adam:
When a child goes missing, time is of the essence. If the investigating agency hasn’t experienced a child abduction before, they may not know how best to react, and that is why NCMEC created Team Adam.
Team Adam is comprised of more than 130 former local, state and federal law enforcement officers who donate their time and experience to assist law enforcement agencies with cases of missing children. Team Adam serves a support role only under the direction of and at no cost to the lead investigative agency. Team Adam can also offer assistance to agencies handling cases of long-term missing children.
The ADAM Program:
The rapid spread of information is extremely important in cases of missing children. When a child goes missing, it’s important to locate them as quickly as possible – and to do that, we need to let the public know what they should search for. That’s where the ADAM Program comes in.
In 2000, LexisNexis Risk Solutions partnered with NCMEC to create the ADAM Program (ADAM: Automated Delivery of Alerts on Missing Children). The ADAM Program quickly distributes NCMEC missing child posters to police, media, schools, businesses, medical centers and individuals within a specific, targeted geographic area to help locate a missing child as quickly as possible.
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Although it’s been more than 43 years since Adam’s abduction that July day in 1981, his legacy has since saved countless lives. The programs established in his name have had a lasting impact on child safety in America. Today, Adam’s name is a symbol of vigilance, compassion and the unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us, ensuring that every child experiences a safe childhood.
Because that’s exactly what they deserve.
For more information on NCMEC and our resources, visit our website at www.ncmec.org.