Australian Federal Police

National Missing Persons Week (NMPW), from 3 to 9 August 2003, is coordinated and promoted by the National Missing Persons Unit (NMPU) at the Australian Federal Police.

The NMPU facilitates a national approach to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons. NMPW is supported by all Australian police services, along with non-government tracing organisations, and community groups associated with families and friends of missing people.

A national coordinated response to missing persons involving all Australians is what is needed to reduce the incidence and tragedy of missing persons.  That means involvement at all levels of the community and in all aspects - Prevention, Location, Education and Support. National Missing Persons Week 2003 calls on everyone to PLEaS help!

"PLEaS" describes the steps involved in preventing and locating missing persons. Prevention avoids the trauma and costs associated when people go missing, while early location reduces the traumatic impacts. An informed understanding of missing person issues through education and research is critical to the development of appropriate responses.  Lastly, though most importantly, appropriate support is required for both families and the missing people themselves, to assist them to cope with the myriad of complex issues arising when someone is missing.

Carol Kiernan, Manager of the NMPU at the Australian Federal Police, says, "This year's National Missing Persons Week campaign suggests practical ways that individuals, professionals and agencies can contribute towards helping to reduce the numbers of missing people and supporting those affected through an understanding of the PLEaS principles.

"It may be as simple as offering to be an intermediary, assisting to get a message home or on a broader scale, for an agency to ensure that policies and procedures are inclusive of missing person issues. The challenge rests with all of us to find local solutions and act on them."

Every 18 minutes someone is reported missing to police. Others disconnect and become missing from families and friends but are not reported missing.

"While most of those reported are located quickly, in many cases the crises which lead to the missing incident are not addressed and one-third of those reported missing go missing again, often under similar circumstances," said Ms Kiernan.

"The tragedy of missing knows no social barriers. Anyone can become a missing person as people go missing for many different and complex reasons. The solution lies with all of us.

"By contributing to PLEaS we improve the accessibility of effective, quality services to meet the diverse needs of missing people and their families. We will also empower individuals and communities to be better able to respond to adverse circumstances in ways that meet their needs. We all need to take up that challenge and Help PLEaS," said Ms Kiernan.