Publications

Providing support to families and friends of missing persons is a role that can fall to police, support agencies, health practitioners, media or other family and friends.

There is currently no model of counselling that allows health practitioners and professionals to adequately explore the specific needs of families who are left behind. While there is grief support available, it does not take into account the long-term ramifications of never gaining closure when a loved one's location remains unknown.

In response to this, the NMPCC in collaboration with the University of New England and public health researcher Dr Sarah Wayland, have developed the publication Acknowledging The Empty Space (PDF 6MB). This national counselling framework aims to assist health practitioners and professionals in understanding the trauma and impact on families of missing persons and how they can best support those who are left behind.

To receive a printed version of this publication, please contact us.

The publication 'Acknowledging The Empty Space' supersedes the previous NMPCC produced counselling framework publication 'Supporting Those Left Behind' 2007.

Every missing person investigation will be different depending on the individual circumstances of a disappearance. The SOS Guide: Missing Persons (2017) (5 MB) has been developed to provide general guidance on how to navigate legal and practical matters during the disappearance of a family member or friend.

General Factsheets

• Missing Persons - Myths and Facts: English (PDF 1.1 MB)
• The PLEASE Policy Principles (PDF 600 KB)

Older people and dementia

• Missing persons and dementia (PDF 1.2 MB)
• Missing persons and dementia: Wandering (PDF 1.2 MB)
• Missing persons and dementia: Safer walking (PDF 1.2 MB)

Missing persons and mental health

• Mental health and missing persons (PDF 600 KB)

Young people

• Are you a young person at risk of going missing? (PDF 600 KB)

Family law matters

• Parental abduction and missing children (PDF 1.1 MB)

Using the media

• How can the media help you?: English (PDF 1.5 MB)

Support

• Are you the parent of a sibling of a missing person? (PDF 1 MB)
• Are you a sibling of a missing person? (PDF 1 MB)
• Are you the extended family member or a friend of a missing person? (PDF 620 KB)

Legal information

• Navigating the coronial process (PDF 1 MB)

Education and training

• Are you working with a young person at-risk of going missing? (PDF 1 MB)

To request the Myths and Facts factsheet in any of the languages outlined below or the translation of other resources available in English on this page please contact the NMPCC via email at missing@afp.gov.au.

• Chinese
• Dinka
• Greek
• Italian
• Russian
• Spanish
• Vietnamese