Get Help Now

1-800-325-HOPE

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

- Emotional Support

- Resource Referral

- Case Management

- Safety Planning

- Assistance with Police & Media

We believe EVERY child has the right to grow up free from harm to live out their full potential.

Each year, JWRC receives around 65 specific case assistance requests, which primarily involve runaways, missing youth, non-family abductions, Internet safety, bullying, and issues related to child sexual exploitation.

JWRC works closely with law enforcement, national and local non-profit organizations including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, legislators, and the media to assist victim families. Access to expert assistance and emotional support during the difficult process of locating a missing child or finding support for exploited children has a profound impact on victim families who often don't know where to start.

Family Gathering

As an annual event, the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center has hosted the Family Gathering event for families of missing and/or murdered children in Minnesota. Family Gathering gives participants the opportunity to build support networks and friendships with other families who have experienced similar losses. Through this gathering, victim families receive emotional support, coping strategies and education related to victim family rights. Breakout sessions, large group work and an evening reception create safe environments for participants to share thoughts or feelings regarding the crime committed, the persons involved in response to their case, changes of legal policies and practices, and the reaction of the community. Participants are encouraged to openly share their experiences in an environment free from the judgment many experience at home and in their communities. Each participant is able to explore his/her reactions, how he/she has adapted to life, and what steps to take next. A recent participant said it best, "Dwelling on the past without taking action to move forward in positive ways can cause greater pain and can immobilize you further…circle time is painful but helpful."

The Family Gathering event and victim assistance services are supported by Grant No. 2011-CVS-00128, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, and by the generosity of private individual donations.  The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations in this program are those of NCPTC-JWRC and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime.