Call to action - PLEaS Help!
PLEaS Help is the call to action for National Missing Persons Week 2003, calling on the whole Australian community to engage in a coordinated and national approach to missing persons to address Prevention, Location, Education and Support (PLEaS).
Senator Chris Ellison, Minister for Justice and Customs, said that National Missing Persons Week 2003 aims to promote ways that individuals, professionals and agencies around Australia can contribute to PLEaS.
"Every 18 minutes someone is reported missing in Australia. Missing persons touches all aspects of our community and I encourage all levels of government and the community to actively participate in finding solutions," Senator Ellison said.
"This year's National Missing Persons Week aims to challenge those who thought traditionally they had no part to play to rethink what they do, recognise the importance of their role in missing persons and translate that into action."
Carol Kiernan, Manager of the National Missing Persons Unit says: "PLEaS provides the Australian community with a framework and a way forward. This campaign emphasises the importance of working together in partnerships across our communities."
National Missing Persons Week, 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.
National Missing Persons Week is supported by all Australian police services, along with non-government tracing organisations and community groups associated with families and friends of missing people.
While 30,000 people go missing in Australia every year, most are located quickly through the combined efforts of Australian police missing persons units and agencies such as the Australian Red Cross International Tracing and Refugee Service, International Social Service Australia, Link-Up Aboriginal Corporation and the Salvation Army Family Tracing Service.
"The impact on families, friends and the missing people themselves, however, is devastating. For every person reported missing at least 12 people are affected. For some, the impact continues for their lifetime," Ms Kiernan said.
"Feelings of isolation, frustration and even anger are common with families of missing people who are often left to confront and resolve complex practical and emotional issues alone.
"Wider understanding of missing person issues, particularly within existing government and non-government support agencies, is necessary to assist while someone is missing and, preferably, wherever possible to prevent cases occurring in the first place.
"This campaign calls on agencies, including those without specific missing person programs, to take an active part by identifying how they can help," she said.
The NMPU's website at www.missingpersons.gov.au provides some ideas but the challenge rests with all of us to contribute to solutions. PLEaS Help!
The national launch of National Missing Persons Week 2003 will take place in GlebePark, Bunda St, Canberra, on Monday 4 August at 10am.