National missing persons support framework launched
Australian police officers will be better able to respond to missing person reports with the launch today by the Australian Federal Police of a new national support framework and training package for professionals working with families of the missing.
The national missing persons support framework – Supporting those who are left behind – provides counsellors with new skills in understanding the trauma and impact experienced by the families of missing persons.
AFP National Manager Economic and Special Operations Peter Drennan said the frameworkprovides counsellors and health professionals with tools they need to better support the needs of families.
“The framework was established in response to an overwhelming need for this kind of support and training,” Assistant Commissioner Drennan said.
“Each year in Australia, 30,000 people are reported missing to police - one person every 18 minutes. For every missing person reported to police, at least 12 other people are affected emotionally, financially, physically or psychologically.
“That’s a significant number of people who experience the trauma of unresolved loss,” he said.
National Missing Persons Coordination Centre Coordinator Leonie Jacques said until today there had been no model of counselling that addressed the specific needs of people who are left behind when a loved one goes missing.
"As well as providing an understanding of the trauma experienced by families who are left behind, providing such a framework to counsellors will allow law enforcement agencies to focus on and better respond to their main objective of locating missing persons,” Ms Jacques said.
The framework will be launched in conjunction with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s Day for Daniel. Daniel Morcombe went missing as a teenager from Queensland in December 2003, feared abducted. Bruce and Denise Morcombe, Daniel’s parents, will speak at the launch with other people involved in developing the framework.
The launch begins at 3.30pm at the Sydney Masonic Centre Doric Room, 66 Goulburn Street and the media is welcome to attend.