In Egypt, this cruel trick is being used by Islamic extremists to deliberately target Christian girls, to bring shame on their families and tear their communities apart.

Miriam*, a 16-year-old Egyptian Christian, was a victim of the 'seduction' method of kidnapping last year. Her church leader says, "Her mother searched for her everywhere but couldn't find her. Some people told us that she had been kidnapped by a young man named John*. He had kidnapped her and took her to a farm he works on."

Initially, Miriam's family received little help from the police. Miriam's father said, "I filed a report in two police stations, and I gave the police the names of the kidnappers and the place where they hid my daughter. But the police haven't arrested them. They didn't even get in touch with the brother of the kidnapper, who lives in the village and is in touch with his brother, to investigate." Meanwhile, a Muslim girl who was kidnapped for ransom in the same village around the same time was followed up with by the police and released in 24 hours.

George confirms that the police sometimes collude with kidnappers. He says, "Kidnappers of Christian girls rarely get arrested or brought to prosecution. For instance, when a kidnapping is reported, the police don't report it as a kidnapping but say the girl 'went missing'. This way they cover up the crimes of those they see as their 'Muslim brothers'."

Miriam's family didn't want to share the details of what happened to her when she was in captivity - there is huge shame associated with these kidnappings. But it is clear that she was badly treated by her kidnappers. She was lucky to escape - most of the kidnapped girls are never heard from again. Please pray for Miriam and her family as they recover from their ordeal.

Melissa*, a church worker who is supported by an Open Doors partner, has been working with Christian girls for several years now. She says, "In my work I see kidnappings happening about once a month. But I believe there are many more cases that go unreported because of shame.

"We talk about kidnappings openly. We have to. Social awareness about this issue is very important. I teach the girls about boundaries in relationships. And I teach them about their value in Christ and help them to be in relationship with Him. If they have better self-esteem they will be less vulnerable."

Open Doors has been working through local partners and churches in Egypt since 1990, providing literacy training and education projects, youth and family ministry, advocacy support, medical outreach, ministry to widows and vocational training for women. None of this would be possible without your prayers or support.