National Missing Persons Week reminds people to stay connected
The Australian Federal Police (AFP), through its National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), launched National Missing Persons Week 2016 (NMPW) on Monday 1 August with the key message 'Missing persons leave frayed edges—Stay connected'.
The message serves to remind the community of the importance of staying connected with family and friends, and encourages those at risk of going missing to use support services.
With more than 35,000 people in Australia reported missing to police each year, the focus for the week centred on drawing people’s attention to those in our community who are currently missing, and the broader impacts these disappearances have on those left behind; behind every missing person there are family, friends, colleagues, and a community all desperate for answers.
Running from 31 July–6 August, NMPW included a launch event in Melbourne and a coordinated media campaign spanning a variety of mediums to engage the public on this important issue. Thanks to support from our partners, missing persons profiles were featured across outdoor media platforms, sourced and donated by Outdoor Media Association, included in the Chemist Warehouse ‘House of Wellness’ catalogues, and displayed across McDonald’s restaurants digital community screens.
State and Territory Police, support and search agencies, and families of missing persons also organised events across the country to commemorate this important week.
In support of the week, and to help raise awareness of missing persons in Australia, the AFP is asking the public to view Australia’s national register of missing persons.
National Missing Persons Week Launch Event
The national launch of NMPW took place in Melbourne at the ZINC Function Centre, Federation Square. The AFP, through NMPCC, partnered with Victoria Police for the launch bringing together 150 members of the community including: families and friends of missing persons, support agencies, search agencies, and law enforcement partners.
At the launch, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said we could fill the MCG more than four times over with loved ones left behind in these heartbreaking circumstances.
“The reasons for a person’s disappearance are many and varied; but we do know that with every missing person, there are families, friends, colleagues, and a community left behind not knowing what has become of someone they love.
“We’re asking communities across Australia to make a conscious effort—this week and every week—to stay connected with those around them.”
Helen Cheong, sister of missing person Sally Cheong spoke at the launch about the impact her sister’s disappearance has had on her and her family since Sally’s disappearance in 2008.
“I got a call in the morning while I was at work and was told my sister Sally didn’t show up at work … Initially I shrugged it off, but as the day progressed it was very clear Sally was nowhere to be found. She had disappeared,” Helen said.
“What happened after that was all a blur. The family was frantic, everyone was emotional, there were tears, there was anger, silence, and there was pain. Desperation of all things consumed us all, we were desperate for answers.
“My parents hired a private investigator, turned to fortune tellers, sought answers from psychics, and went to temples to pray. We were desperate.”
Helen’s story echoes the stories of many families of missing persons, from the shock and disbelief of the initial stages of a person going missing to the long-term issues surrounding coping with the ambiguous loss.
