07/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Federation for Children that have disappeared or been sexually exploited was officially launched on 4 May in Brussels at the European Parliament, in the presence of the European Commissioner responsible for justice and home affairs, Antonio Vitorino, Belgian Justice Minister Marc Verwilghen and MEP Patsy Sörensen. The aim of the new federation is to improve communication between the different NGOs in Europe, heighten public awareness and have an influence on the political agenda of governments with a view to fighting this scourge. It currently groups 18 NGOs in 14 countries.