Working with young people
Young Australians are a significant group at risk of going missing. Out of the 35,000 missing persons' reports received each year, young people under the age of 18 account for 20,000.
Young people go missing for a number of reasons including escape from family conflict or school bullying, depression, wanting to become independent, being a victim of crime, forgetting to communicate or suffering from mental health problems (refer to Are you working with a young person at risk of going missing fact sheet).
The NMPCC has partnered with Reconnect, a program of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to develop a referral network to address the ongoing support of young people who are at risk of going missing or have previously gone missing.
Reconnect provides community-based early intervention services and helps young people aged between 12 and 18 years to talk about family reconciliation. One of the primary challenges in supporting young people is what to do once they are located. Approximately one third of young people go missing more than once. Reconnect may assist in resolving some of the issues relating to a young person going missing.
Referrals to Reconnect can be made by a health professional, a family member or a young person at risk of going missing. To contact your local Reconnect Office, phone 1800 813 750 or refer to the following fact sheets:
