n at i o n a l m i s s i n g p e r s o n s co o r d i n at i o n c e n t r e

While this is obviously a distressing time, it may help you to know that most people reported missing in australia are found, often within just a few days.

please don’t hesitate to contact police or your tracing organisation if you have any questions or wish to supply additional information.

a service commitmentpolice

australian police are committed to undertaking thorough and extensive investigations where there are serious concerns for a missing person.

police based in the state or territory where the initial missing persons’ report is filed is responsible for coordinating all inquiries and keeping you updated about progress.

national missing persons coordination centre

the national missing persons coordination centre (nmpcc) is located with the australian Federal police in canberra. the centre works with state and territory police missing persons Units and community based organisations to ensure there is a national, coor-dinated approach to finding missing people.

When someone is missing search options & supportadvice for the families and friends of missing people

in australia someone is reported missing every 15 minutes by someone else who cares

When someone you care about is missing it is often hard to know what you should do or where to turn for support.

the first step is to file a report with police if you have concerns for safety and welfare of your missing family member or friend.

there is certain information that police will ask you to provide, including:

• the person’s full name and any aliases they use;

• place and date of birth;

• a complete description of the person including any distin-guishing features, such as tattoos, birth marks or scars;

• a recent, clear and preferably colour photograph;

• details of where and when the person was last seen or heard from;

• What the person was wearing, including any jewellery;

• a contact list of the person’s friends, relatives and col-leagues;

• a list of places the person frequents such as clubs, shopping centres, hotels, parks, amusement arcades or restaurants;

• Bank account and credit card details;

• details of any vehicle owned or used by the person;

• details of any medication the person may require and what it is used to treat.

depending on the circumstances, you may choose to use the services of a tracing organisation such as the australian red cross, the salvation army, or the international social service. these agencies may not require the same information as police. they could ask for other details, especially if the per-son was last seen or heard from while overseas or living in a conflict zone or natural disaster area.

www.missingpersons.gov.au freecall 1800 000 634

it is important to remember that people go missing for a variety of reasons.

in some cases, the person may be escaping from real or perceived family or personal conflict. others may be trying to assert their independence or taking time out. some simply forget to make contact.

it will help if you also provide information about:

• any behavioural changes, personal, medical or emotional problems the person may have experienced before they went missing.

• occasions when the person has been missing previously, including details about where they were found.

You will also need to:

• check if the missing person’s belongings such as their wallet, handbag, clothing, suitcase, passport, mobile telephone or other items are missing.

• search through the person’s address book, diary, briefcase or school bag for clues as to where they may have gone.

• phone the missing person’s friends, colleagues and relatives to check when they last had contact or if they have any useful information.

• provide your case officer with updates about any information you come across, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

• Keep your case officer updated about your own inquiries or search activities.

• notify your case officer immediately if your missing person returns home or makes contact with friends or family.

• Keep a comprehensive contact list of people involved in the search, including tracing organisation personnel and the name, rank, station and contact details of police.

the following agencies may be helpful in providing you with support, guidance or search services. You may also consider using your local telephone directory, the internet or personal referrals to find other useful contacts. some agencies may require a fee. it is a good idea to check before you enlist their services.

national missing persons coordination centre

the national missing persons coordination centre (nmpcc) is funded by the australian Federal police. its aim is to promote a nationally integrated approach to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons.. it does not conduct individual ingestigations.

www.missingpersons.gov.au

(tF) 1800 000 634

police

state/territory police missing persons Units conducts searches and carry out associated missing person’s investigations.

police missing persons Units

act police (02) 6256 7576

new south Wales (02) 8835 7656

(tF) 1800 025 091

Victoria (03) 9865 2828

QueenslandQld only

(07) 3364 62131800 017 744

south australia (08) 8463 7867

Western australia (08) 9223 3666

northern territory (08) 8922 3101

tasmania (03) 6230 2373

aUstralians missing oVerseas

should you have a relative or friend missing overseas, and you have serious concerns for their safety, you should attend your local police station and file a missing persons’ report. this report will be forwarded to interpol canberra requesting assistance to locate your relative or friend overseas.

department of Foreign affair & trade. consular operations

(toll free) 1300 555 135

tracing organisations

australian red cross international tracing & refugee services(for more information, refer to your telpehone directory)

www.redcross.org.au

international social service, australia (03) 9614 8755(02) 9267 0300

link Up (tF) 1800 624 332

salvation army Family tracing service (saFts)

www.salvos.org.au

(refer to telephone directory for branches in

your state or territory)

sUpport groUps & coUnselling

nsW attorney general’s departmentFamilies and Friends of missing persons Unitcounsellor service

(02) 8688 5423

1800 227 772

alzheimer’s association (tF) 1800 100 500

crisis coUnselling (general) (refer to telephone directory for local crisis counselling services available in your state

or territory)

Kids Help line (24hrs) (tF)1800 551 800

lifeline (24hrs) 13 1114

sane australia a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness

(national toll free) 1800 187 263

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

parent Help lines (refer to telephone directory for local contact numbers)

salvo care line(Qld, nsW, act)(Wa)

(02) 9331 20001300 363 622

(08) 9442 5777

Wayside chapel (02) 9358 6577