China Reunites 54,000 Kidnapped Children With Their Families Over Last 3 Years

On December 24th, 2012, the day the West celebrates Christmas Eve, Chinese authorities finally bended to the outcry of child advocacy demands to significantly step up their policing and prevention of human trafficking of children in their country by arresting 355 individuals suspect of child trafficking.  Most importantly, 89 previously abducted children were rescued!  It is expected that many of the kidnapped children will reunite with their chasing parents since, under great pressure from the United Nations and its trading partners, China developed a DNA database for missing children suspect of being trafficked in partial reaction to the outlandish number of children abducted, traded, and trafficked in the country.

Human trafficking is a serious problem in China that can be traced back to China's one-child policy.
The policy has resulted in abortions, killings or abandonment of baby girls, and created a demand for abducted or purchased baby boys. 

It has been recently reported that the Chinese government, due to scrutiny from the West, and the rising voices of the country's citizens, has taken steps to combat the black market by tightening adoption rules and cracking down on child trafficking rings.

The 355 suspects arrested in the operation included police officers from nine regions, including the provinces of Fujian, Yunnan, Sichuan, Anhui and Guangdong, Xinhua reported, citing the Ministry of Public Security.

Sadly, I have personally witnessed Chinese authorities actually take down posters of missing children in SAR's such as Macau and Hong Kong, as well as cities including Shenzhen and Shanghai.  I have befriended chasing parents searching for their stolen children in cities that attempt to lure tourist, only to have these desperate parents disappear without a trace: where there was once a cell phone number, a home address, an email address - all whereabouts of their existence is gone because, in the past, China did not tolerate the public display of parents desperately searching for their kidnapped children.  However, the problem has grown so serious, and the number of children being taken has risen significantly that the internal pressure of government accountability combined with pressure from the west has apparently begun to make a difference. God I hope so.

Many of the children abducted in China come from rural areas.  They are then trafficked and sold in more affluent areas such as Fujian and Guangdongfor as much as 90,000 yuan ($14,400 U.S.) for a healthy male.  In China's seedy black market sex trade, a Caucasian male child could sell for over 1,000,000 yuan.

Is China actually taking a major step in the right direction to combat the disgusting, prevalent, and notorious trade of child kidnapping and child slavery that has been part of it's culture for so long, or is this just showmanship?

I think the answer will be found on whether China demonstrates an openness to the criminal prosecution of the monsters who have traded in child flesh, and, to learn if Chinese authorities capably expanded their investigation and arrested others responsible for the unforgivable acts of child kidnappings.

Chen Shiqu, the ministry's criminal investigation division anti- trafficking office director said this past Monday that, "Since a government crackdown began in 2009, police have broken up 11,000 child trafficking rings and rescued 54,000 children." 

Think about having 54,000 abducted in your country - a nation where the police either took part in the abductions or turned their eyes away from the criminal act.  Unthinkable.

Despite the 54,000 children who have been rescued, the number of missing children in China remains extraordinarily large: estimates are in the high hundreds of thousands.

It's a start . . . but still the problem remains a large problem . . . one that India must now address.

Child abduction of any kind is an inhumane act conducted by a person who generally has no true respect for the dignity of life.  Please support any organization dedicated to protecting children.

- Peter Thomas Senese -
  Founding Director
  The I CARE Foundation

* * *
Peter Thomas Senese's critically acclaimed international legal thriller novel about child abduction titled 'Chasing The Cyclone' is available on e-book.  100% of all proceeds are donated to the I CARE Foundation.

Getting Ready To Play Peter Pan At A Several Hospitals This Christmas

Nearly two weeks ago I went Christmas shopping for children who are or have recently spent time in one of the hospitals I have been privilaged to support.  Over the past week, we have begun to share some of these gifts, but come this Saturday and Sunday, we will give a large number of children and their families the various presents we saved over the year to purchase.  And keeping in the tradition that I started years ago, our gift theme is computer and video game-oriented presents of the coolest kind.

The following post below is what I shared the day we went shopping.  I think it shares the privilege it is to be Peter Pan, if even for just one day.

* * * * * * *

For over a decade I have remained active with a handful of hospitals that are dedicated to helping children fighting cancer or any other serious illness. 

As a cancer conqueror myself, as a professional with a history of investing in cancer research, and as a person who embraces my social responsibility, I have done what I can to financially support several hospitals, including the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and an assortment of Children's Hospitals.


I know first-hand that fighting cancer is not easy.  I also know that my life changed for the better in many ways when I had to fight the dragon because life and its beauty came to me in ways I had never previously experienced.  In seeing the magic, in my own way, I found my inner 'PAN'. 

I also know that the dragon is very powerful, and has the ability of taking life here on earth.  But in having my PAN fight the dragon, I also came to deeply understand that God does exist, and so too does Heaven.

I have come to understand that each of us can be 'PAN', and that no matter what, we can see magic ... and there is another place we all will go to.  A very magical place.

Each year I literally save my pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters, ones, fives, tens, twenties .... whatever I can and put these monies in a 'Neverland' box.  The box is rather big.  Sometimes, during the year I empty the coins in the box and exchange them for bills.  I did that a few times this year.   And I am very blessed that I have a wonderful partner who is willing to give up a few niceties like a vacation or a fancy dinner or a new pair of shoes and toss the money saved into the 'Neverland' box.  Our efforts add up.

Then once a year -like today -  I take the money I saved - and I go and purchase Nintendo DS's or Sony PS's along with a video game or two that I give to the children being treated at the cancer ward of a few of the hospitals. Of course, I am mindful that some of the children may not be able to play the video games: some simply can't while others are to young and would prefer something else.  So I always have on hand a bunch of fashionable princesses and Lego, and coloring books - but most of all what I bring is the spirit of Peter Pan.

You see, if the medical doctors initial diagnosis of my cancer fight was correct, I would have been dead a long time ago.  It was nearly 15 years ago that I was first diagnosed with a brain tumor, followed by being diagnosed with neurofibromatosis II - which were both death sentences.

But I found my shadow.  And though you might think it odd, finding my PAN saved my life.

So you see, at 6 foot tall, and even at 47 year old, my body is very strong, those children that I visit in their Neverland, they don't see some old guy bringing toys . . . instead, they see Peter Pan - fighter and conqueror of the dragon.  And when I sit with them, and I tell them the stories of Pan fighting the dragon, of one Mr. James C. Hook, they always lean in . . . they understand.  And I know they find their PAN . . . even if for a short time because God has other plans for them. 

But you see . . . life is filled with magic.  And it becomes magical when you believe.  And God knows I believe.

I really believe.

And so in a few minutes I will be off to shop for these children, knowing that it is not the material gift that matters the most (though at times it helps, particularly when some of these children have no parents there with them [it is true] since they are wards of the state at the ages of 3, and 4, and 5).

And then over the next two weeks I will begin making my rounds to the hospitals, and hopefully teaching as many children as possible how to catch their shadow . . . and how to see the magic because it is right before their eyes - all they have to do is believe.

So today is a very important day for me.  It seems as if so much of my life evolves around keeping several promises I made.  One, when I was fighting the brain tumor that nearly took my life, was that I would do what I could to help others fighting the dragon should I live.  Thus, my ongoing support of research and other outreach at a handful of hospitals.  And of course, several times a year, with Christmas being the biggest time, I get to share the PAN that lives within me with others.  And so if you are wondering why I am willing to fight for children - this is part of the reason.

Fighting cancer should never be taken lightly.  But when trying to overcome any illness, we must learn to use all the tools . . . all the magic that is around us.  This includes the aid of modern medicine, homeopathic treatment, lots and lots of pray, and of course - finding the magic and embracing it.

Life is short. Eventually our spirits move to the next Adventure.

This past Thursday morning, my dear friend Robert Medori passed away while fighting the dragon.  Bobby is one of the nicest persons I have ever known.  He was a good, caring, and loving man, and though he will be missed here on earth, he will always be with me. 

And so today, Bobby will surely be joining me as we shop for the children.

Love Life.  Embrace Life's Magic.

Find your  . . . PAN

- Peter -

'Coldplay' To Open For The 'Cyclone's At The Hollywood Bowl New Years Eve

I can't believe my band is going on tour . . . and having Coldplay no less - Open For Us!!

Check Out Our Little Merry Christmas Melody!

The Cyclones Prepare For Hollywood Bowl New Years Eve Concernt

Helping Children Fighting Cancer During Christmas

Today is one of the days of the year when I know the culmination of my efforts will have an impact of the lives of many children.

You see, as a cancer conqueror, I embrace my responsibilty to help others fight this fight.  And nothing is more important to me - nothing - than helping children fighting cancer.

So today, I embrace my Peter Pan -  And This Is How. Please read -

- Peter -

International Child Kidnapper Threaten Abduction Prevention Advocates

I am not a fan of bullies or individuals who think it is okay to attempt to intimidate someone, especially when there is a child at risk.

If you are bullied, I suggest you take a look at the Stop Bullying website created by the U.S. Government or the NGO 'Reach Out': both offer valuable resources and suggestions.

Being bullied takes a whole different twist when you are physically or psychologically threatened, including having your online identity threatened (this is why I worked very hard at getting online impersonation and identity theft criminal laws passed in California and New York).

No threat should ever be taken lightly, especially when a threat is made by a person who is so out of touch with reality, such as a parent who criminally internationally kidnaps a child.  When a threat comes from a kidnapper, it is important to remember that the person is a delusional psychopath who has placed their own child at grave risk because of their own narcissistic behavior.

Now I must admit, I enjoy receiving letters, particularly from readers from all around the world who have contacted me about my various novels such as Chasing The Cyclone, Cloning Christ, and The Den of the Assassin, or my non-fiction historical works including In Their Own Words or The World Turned Upside Down.

On a near-daily basis I also receive at least one new email from a parent somewhere in the world thanking me for my and the I CARE Foundation's team's work in helping protect chid abduction.

So, as part of the course, and because of the increased activity of the foundation's success in helping others, par for the course is that on occasion I will receive 'Love Letters' from child kidnappers or would-be child abductors offering all sorts of pleasantries.

Today was one of those days when I received more lovely fan mail.

And so, I do try to write back to everyone who writes to me.  So here is my message to my most recent admirer:

My Dear Secret Admirer,
Thank you for taking the time to write and offer some suggestions on things you are willing to do on my behalf.  It is very thoughtful of you to keep me in mind.  It is also very considerate of you to remind me of just how important my and the I CARE Foundation's work is, especially when it comes to standing up to monsters who make threats like you recently have. In being reminded of the lunatics that steal children - you included - I recommit myself to standing in the face of the heinous act of child kidnapping.  And as I reemit myself, I know that there are more than simply a few good men who really care.   

I hope you enjoy your day.  As for me - I am going to go cower under my bed, worry about you, and move to Mars.  Oh wait, instead I think I'm going to take a deep breath, and have a fruit salad ... one filled with oranges, apples, bananas, kiwi, peaches, plums, pears, grapes, melons, strawberries and the likes.  

Thank you for reminding me that there are idiots and bullies in the world who must be stood up to.

So here I am ....

Oh one last thing ... I now know who you are.  Enjoy the rest of the day.

Peter Thomas Senese
Founding Director
The I CARE Foundation