Are you at risk of going missing?

Twenty thousand young people get reported missing to the Police every year in Australia. A missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to the police, whose whereabouts is unknown and there are fears for the safety or welfare of that person. You can actually be reported as missing before 24 hours is up!

Why might people go missing?

People might missing for lots of reasons, including:

• family conflict
• wanting to become independent
• being the victim of a crime
• forgetting to tell someone where you are going
• mental health problems
• drugs/alcohol abuse
• other abuse and neglect.

A very small percentage of missing persons cases in Australia are stranger abductions. Most young people and children who are missing disappear for short periods and are then found. You might go missing because of tension or conflict, but if you don't get help to fix the real problems, 'going missing' might just make them worse.

You might want to think about 'missing' being the symptom rather than the cause of a problem you are facing. People usually go missing to remove themselves from something that isn't making them happy.

Is it a crime to go missing?

No, it is not a crime to go missing. If you are reported missing and located by the police you will not be charged for going missing.

But remember by being a missing person you may put yourself in an unsafe position, making you sensitive to becoming a victim of a crime, or forcing you to commit a crime to stay 'missing'.

What if I am missing - can the police force me to go home?

No - if your home is an unsafe environment for you and you are worried about returning, it is important that you tell the Police, who can help arrange alternative accommodation and support.

What do I do if I've been missing + I want to let people know I'm OK?

If you have been reported missing to the police the quickest way to resolve the issue is to attend your local police station.

You should take some photo ID with you (if you have it) and perhaps a friend to support you if you're worried about going to the police station alone. The police will ask you questions to check your identity, where you stayed while you were missing and generally how you are.

You do not have to answer all of the questions the police ask you, but it is important to tell them if you are worried about going back to the place you went missing from, which could have been home or another place like a refuge.

If I am missing + want to get some help who can I talk to?

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) run a national community-based program called Reconnect.

Reconnect helps young people between 12 and 18 years to talk about family reconciliation. They help young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and their families.

The Reconnect workers will listen to you, they might help you bridge the communication between you and your family if you want to resolve issues that are troubling you.

Information about a Reconnect Office close to you can be found by calling 1800 813 750.

If you would like support in addition to that provided by Reconnect, it may also help to talk with someone anonymously - Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 and Lifeline 13 11 14 have counsellors who are available 24/7, and the call does not show up on the phone bill.

More information

For more information that might be useful if you are at risk of going missing, check out the fact sheets on the left side of this page.

Acknowledgement: National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), Australian Federal Police

www.myspace.com/missingpersons