A formal mandate

A formal mandate

In Switzerland

Missing Children Switzerland is a non-profit foundation, recognised as a public-interest organisation.

In 2017, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) entrusted Missing Children Switzerland with the responsibility for the 116 000 hotline for the whole of Switzerland, pursuant to Art. 4 (1), Art. 25 and Art. 31b of the Ordinance of 6 October 1997 on addressing resources in the telecommunications sector (ORAT; SR 784.104).

Prior to this decision, the number was held and managed by the police.

The legal basis of the 116 000 hotline

Missing Children Switzerland's competence is legally defined by the CEPT* Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) decision on the management of the 116 000 emergency number in all EFTA countries**, of which Switzerland is a member (decision ECC/DEC/(07)03 of 6 July 2007, revised on 26 February 2008 and 16 June 2010).

* European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations

** European Free Trade Association

Our duties for the 116 000 hotline

  • Receive calls 24/7 in multiple languages
  • Assist and advise young people and their legal representatives
  • Ensure that policies are informed of disappearances
  • Support the police during investigations with our resources