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The COVID-19 restrictions currently in place around the country have led to the regrettable postponement of the upcoming Queensland Family of Missing Persons Day.The Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police Service are working to reschedule the event, which was set to be hosted in Brisbane on Sunday 1 August.Queensland families who have registered for the event will be personally notified of the postponement and provided with all updates about the rescheduled event.The Queensland event was due to be the first of a series of Family of Missing Persons Days to be held across Australia over the next six months.Planning is underway to ensure the events can be held at a time when COVID travel restrictions allow key personnel to attend.Families across Australia who have a missing relative are encouraged to pre-register their interest now via the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) website. Once an event has been scheduled in their State or Territory, they will be notified of the details.The program will allow families with missing loved ones to provide police and scientists with DNA samples as part of an Australian-first forensic program aiming to identify our unknown and missing Australians.The aim of the National DNA Program is to apply a suite of existing and new forensic techniques to hundreds of unidentified human remains to assist State and Territory police in resolving cases of long-term missing persons.This information will be used by the National DNA Program to update national databases, which will allow the effective searching and matching of unidentified human remains and missing persons cases for the first time at a national level.A recent audit of cases stored at police, mortuary and forensic facilities confirmed there are more than 500 sets of unidentified human remains across Australia. Many of these human remains were discovered decades ago, with some cases dating back more than 50 years.The aim of the National DNA Program is to apply a suite of existing and new forensic techniques to hundreds of unidentified human remains in an effort to assist State and Territory police to resolve cases of long-term missing persons.For further information on the Family of Missing Persons Days and to register please visit the Missing Persons website.Further information on the National DNA Program can be found on the Missing Persons website.About missing persons in AustraliaIn Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to police, whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for the safety or concern for the welfare of that person. A long-term missing person is someone who has been missing for more than three months.About the NMPCCThe AFP's National Missing Persons Coordination Centre plays an active role in coordinating national police efforts, and educating the Australian community to prevent the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre is a non-operational arm of the AFP which put simply means, the team is not involved in the investigations of missing persons. All investigations are undertaken by the relevant State and Territory police.In support of National Missing Persons Week (NMPW),the AFP NMPCC coordinates an annual police campaign with State and Territory police, highlighting a different theme each year to raise awareness and educate the Australian community on the significant issues and impacts of missing persons in Australia, while also profiling a number of long-term missing persons. A further media release will detail this year’s NMPW campaign which will run from 1 – 7 August 2021.The annual police campaign compliments other campaigns, events, initiatives and memorial services run by families with a missing loved one, advocacy networks, government and non-government organisations, and members of the public.  Media enquiriesAFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

The Australian Federal Police’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is honouring International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) 2021 with a tree dedication at the National Arboretum in Canberra for all missing children and their families.IMCD is commemorated annually on the 25 May. IMCD is a day where people around the world commemorate the missing children who have found their way home, remember those who have been victims of crime and continue efforts to find those still missing.AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw officiated the tree dedication ceremony on behalf of the AFP. The tree dedication offers a permanent fixture for reflection and remembrance of all missing children and their families. A short video -which can be viewed here- highlights the tree dedication ceremony and what this place of remembrance means to families of missing children and the police officers who work tirelessly to find them.“This tree located at the National Arboretum in Canberra is a symbol of hope and strength for the families, friends, community and the police officers who investigate the cases,” Commissioner Kershaw said.“This tree is a permanent fixture of commemoration and a place for loved ones to come, reflect and be reminded that we remain committed to bringing their children home.”In Australia, approximately 25,000 young people are reported missing to police each year. This makes up almost two thirds of all missing persons reports in Australia. Most young people are located safe and well, but unfortunately some remain missing after days, months and years. The impact on families and friends when a loved one goes missing is devastating. When that loved one is a child, it becomes almost unbearable.The impact is deeply felt by Bruce and Denise Morcombe, whose 13-year-old son Daniel went missing in 2003.“We had no idea what had happened to him, we also had no place to reflect, honour and remember him,” Bruce Morcombe said.“This commemorative tree is significant for police, family and friends because it’s a dedicated place to symbolically resolve to continue the search to find missing children,” Denise Morcombe said.Detective Superintendent Greg Mowle, who has experience investigating missing children cases, reflects on the impacts unresolved cases have had on him personally.“As a police officer part of your remit is to help people and the fact that you haven’t actually been able to achieve this is a lingering emptiness,” Detective Superintendent Mowle said.Commissioner Kershaw reaffirmed the commitment of the AFP to continue to work with families, policing partners and the community to try and locate Australian missing persons because this is not just a police effort, it takes a community.Importantly, there are steps everyone can follow to raise awareness of the issue of missing children and assist police with their investigations. You can:Download a kit of child safety tips for parents.Help share the AFP’s International Missing Children’s Day message on Facebook Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you have information relating to a missing child. 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is today launching the country’s first National DNA Program, with the hope of uncovering investigative leads as to the identity of our unknown Australians and resolving long-term missing persons cases across Australia.This new initiative – the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons will harness modern forensic techniques to allow the advanced DNA profiling and matching of unidentified human remains and missing persons nationally for the first time in Australia.There are an estimated 500 sets of unidentified human remains across Australia, and this program aims to give answers to families and police investigating cold cases who have spent years searching for answers.Some of these bones were discovered decades ago, with a portion of unidentified human remains from cold cases dating back from more than 50 years ago.The ultimate goal is to make it possible for final goodbyes and for the remains, which currently sit in mortuaries, labs and police stations across the country, to be laid to rest at last.The Australian-first program has been granted $3.594 million out of Proceeds of Crime funding, and is expected to run for two and a half years.The program will be directed by one of Australia’s leading unidentified human remains experts, Associate Professor Jodie Ward, a forensic DNA identification specialist from the AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Forensic Science.In 2015, Associate Professor Ward received the prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate world-leading DNA identification techniques for missing persons and disaster victims. She has since been advocating for an Australia-wide DNA identification program to be launched.The National DNA Program will model other internationally recognised DNA-led missing persons programs, including those from the International Commission on Missing Persons, and the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.Together with State and Territory police partners, and using the resources of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the AFP will work tirelessly with family members, state mortuaries, and other experts in the field in the hope of providing answers to some of the many long term missing persons cases across Australia.AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw launched the program at the AFP’s world-class Forensics Complex in Canberra today, reflecting on what this initiative may bring for the families of 2600 long-term missing persons in Australia.“They are not just a statistic. They are someone’s child, parent, husband or wife. They are people who aren’t there for birthdays or the family celebrations that mark all the significant milestones in life.”“This could lift the lid on many cold cases across the country. Not only could this program provide much-needed answers families are searching for, it could also lead to justice. Some have been waiting for more than half a century. Even with the passing of decades, the AFP and our partners will never give up. Victims will not be forgotten.”“Today I encourage family members to contact the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre if they want to get involved or find out more information on this Program.”Commissioner Kershaw highlighted that this program is possible due to the ill-gotten wealth of criminals that has been reinvested into the Australian community, to bring about lasting change for the families and friends with long-term missing loved ones.Anyone with information relating to a missing person is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.For more information on how proceeds of crime are confiscated and reinvested into the community, visit the AFP website here.Media enquiriesAFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is calling on the public to help solve eight long-term missing persons’ investigations as part of a digital campaign marking National Missing Persons Week 2020 (2-8 August 2020).The initiative – titled ‘I’ll see you later’ – has been developed by the AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) and includes a series of short videos which describes the emotions felt by the families of long-term missing people.AFP Coordinator National Missing Persons Coordination Centre Jodie McEwan said she hopes the initiative gives both families and investigators answers to long-held questions, as well as provide the community with insight into the unresolved grief and loss felt by the loved ones of missing persons.“In telling the stories of these missing people via social media, outdoor advertising spaces and traditional media, we hope to draw out new leads and piece together these sad and enduring puzzles,” Jodie McEwan said.“The short videos illustrate these are real people, with hobbies and dreams, who continue to live in the memories of those left behind. They are more than just statistics or photos on a missing persons poster.“We hope the community connects with these stories and if you have any piece of information – no matter how small – please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”Father of long-term missing person, Peter English, Gary English says “Campaigns like this are invaluable and allow families, who like us, are seeking answers to tell the story of their missing loved one.”“Peter was a very loving father who enjoyed his children very much and loved spoiling them with gifts. We just want answers and to know he is safe and well.”The following long-term missing persons were nominated by the AFP’s State and Territory counterparts to be featured in the campaign:Laura Haworth (ACT)Daniel (Danny) Plain (NT)Peter English (QLD) - (since located)Brian Cairney (SA)Eileen Stewart (Tas)Paul Wright (Vic)Simon Harrington (WA)To request an interview with a family member or case officer of one these long-term missing persons, please contact media@afp.gov.au.Media is encouraged to read the Counselling Framework for guidance when working with families of missing people.The NMPCC developed the campaign in partnership with creative agency Three Scoops, to shed light on the fact that when a person goes missing, their loved ones are always searching. Even as time passes and logic whispers that the missing person is unlikely to be found, some part of the loved one can’t stop looking.Members of the community sharing their stories and support throughout National Missing Persons Week 2020 are encouraged to use the hashtag #NMPW2020 in support of this year’s campaign.National Missing Persons Week is supported by the Outdoor Media Association. For more information on the NMPCC and NMPW 2019 and to watch the campaign unfold, visit www.missingpersons.gov.au or https://www.facebook.com/AFPNMPCCAbout missing persons in AustraliaIn Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to police, whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for the safety or concern for the welfare of that person. A long-term missing person is someone who has been missing for more than three months.About the NMPCCThe AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre plays an active role in coordinating national police efforts, and educating the Australian community to prevent the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre is a non-operational arm of the AFP which put simply means, the team is not involved in the investigations of missing persons. All investigations are undertaken by the relevant State and Territory police.In support of NMPW, the AFP NMPCC coordinates an annual police campaign with State and Territory police, highlighting a different theme each year to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons and profile long-term missing persons to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.The annual police campaign compliments other campaigns, events, initiatives and memorial services run by families with a missing loved one, advocacy networks, government and non-government organisations, and members of the public.Media enquiriesAFP Media: (02) 5126 9297 

In a joint campaign developed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) and Canberra Milk, the faces of missing people will once again be displayed on milk bottles in the Australian Capital Territory. The campaign will run from 15 June for four weeks in an effort to solve the mystery of their disappearance and raise awareness of the issue of missing people.Last year the milk bottle campaign featured 12 missing persons from around the Canberra region and those with investigative links to the capital. In 2020, the campaign is being expanded to include the profiles of 16 missing persons from around the country.The milk bottle campaign will be complemented by a national social media campaign to raise wider awareness of this issue.The social media campaign will coincide with the circulation of Canberra Milk bottles in the Canberra region and aims to reach all corners of the Australian community. The faces of these long-term missing persons are being shared in the hope that someone has information that can lead to their discovery. This campaign also aims to catch the attention of everyday people in the community who may not be aware of the role they can play in helping find these missing people.AFP Assistant Commissioner Lesa Gale said the inclusion of missing people from areas other than the Canberra region was to highlight what is a national issue, and the AFP’s focus on delivering a national coordinated response.“One person featured in last year’s Canberra Milk campaign was located. It is initiatives like these that remind people that missing persons are real people, and this is something that needs to be spoken about more,” AC Gale said.“Our partnership with Canberra Milk has allowed us to bring these conversations into the homes and minds of everyday Australians, many who have not known the pain that a missing loved one can bring. We want people in the community to stop and think about not only these featured profiles, but also the profiles of many other long-term missing people across Australia. If anyone has information, no matter how small, please reach out to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.“We are grateful for the ongoing support of Canberra Milk and hope to continue to work with them in the future.“Campaigns and collaborations such as this highlight the possibilities available in this space, and the impact corporate support can have for the 2,600-plus long-term missing persons in Australia and the loved ones left behind. It is important that we work together to raise awareness and profile as many of these cases as possible as every family equally deserves answers.” AC Gale said."Our missing you is deepened by that of not knowing where you are. But campaigns like this prove we are not alone in our search," Son of long-term missing Nicola Sallese, Jason Sallese said.“Canberra Milk is an intrinsic part of the community and we value our partnerships, in particular those that can help raise awareness like this campaign,” Managing Director of Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia), Steve Ness said.“CCFA has been proudly supporting the Canberra community for over 60 years. We are involved in communal events and schools programs like ‘The Breakfast Clubs’, where we donate and share the Canberra Milk experience.“With the Missing Persons campaign we have a unique opportunity to raise awareness and start a conversation.”Canberra Milk one-litre bottles are available from all usual retailers. Australians can help support the initiative by sharing the label on social media with the hashtag #missingXmilk. For those outside of the Canberra region, visit the NMPCC Facebook (www.facebook.com/AFPNMPCC) page and share the images of the milk bottles with your social network.For more information on the AFP National Missing Person’s Coordination Centre (NMPCC) and the Public Register of missing persons, visit: www.missingpersons.gov.au. and www.facebook.com/AFPNMPCC.About Canberra MilkCapitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd is a joint venture company between Lion Dairy & Drinks and Bega Cheese Ltd. It is the only dairy manufacturer situated within the ACT.It manufactures fresh milk and cream from its factory, located in Canberra and through its network of refrigerated vehicles, distributes fresh milk and other chilled food and beverage products, direct to ACT commercial customers, and through Franchise Owners and distributors in southern NSW.Media enquiriesAFP Media: (02) 5126 9297ProfilesThe profiles of long-term missing Australian's featured in this campaign are as follows.David ABUOI - ACTLaura HAWORTH - ACTRobert JACOB - ACTRuth RIDLEY- NSWKylee-Ann SCHAFFER - NSWRonya LIVONI - NTRichard ROE - NTJohn BROWN - QLDDanny WALKER - QLDChristine REDFORD - SAEve ASKEW - TASNicola SALLESE - TASAndrew OLEENIK - VICLorrin WHITEHEAD - VICDragan JANKOVIC - WAJosephine JENNINGS - WA   

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) are marking International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) 2020 with a creative campaign, including a short video themed: #MissingChildrenDeserveAReunionToo, that taps into the collective loss and grief people around the globe are feeling while living through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.The pandemic has caused huge changes to the everyday life of almost everyone. It has forced many to live in isolation awaiting their reunion with the people, places and things they hold dear.Most people can take comfort knowing that they will eventually be reunited with those they are missing. This is in stark contrast to the families and friends living with a missing child, desperately longing for their reunion day.AFP Assistant Commissioner Northern Command Lesa Gale said the IMCD short video expresses that, while so many Australians have missed their friends and family during the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience is all-too-familiar for families of missing children.“In 2020, it is as important as ever that we mark International Missing Children’s Day to honour missing children, offer support to their families, pay tribute to victims of crime and celebrate those children who have found their way home,” Assistant Commissioner Gale said.“The short video released today is a powerful reminder that, while the COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing measures have been challenging for all of us, we know they will soon pass.”“However, for the loved ones of missing children, there can sometimes be no end to their separation, loneliness and helplessness. The loved ones of long-term missing are forever awaiting their reunion.”The video was produced adhering to extreme social distancing restrictions using a compilation of user generated content and quarantine photography to carefully depict authentic human emotion felt by many during this testing time.In addition to the short video – which can be viewed here – the AFP’s NMPCC has developed a digital campaign to spread awareness of IMCD 2020, the need to remember missing children and continue seeking their safe return. The campaign features the faces of 49 of Australia’s long-term missing children.In Australia approximately three in five missing persons reports are related to a child or young person under the age of 18. Most are found safe and well, but the fear and heartbreak is immense for those whose children do not return home.Importantly, there are steps everyone can follow to raise awareness of the issue of missing children and assist police with their investigations. You can:Download a kit of child safety tips for parents.Help share the AFP’s International Missing Children’s Day message on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AFPNMPCC).Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you have information relating to a missing child. The profiles can be viewed on www.missingpersons.gov.au.For more on the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, visit the website.Media enquiries:AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333.Subscribe and receive email alerts when new media releases are published.

In what will be considered a world first, today 354 participants will gather across ten locations in Australia to generate leads for 12 national missing person cases for the Australian police.The AustCyber Canberra Cyber Security Innovation Node has partnered with the Australian Federal Police, the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and Trace Labs to deliver the first ever National Missing Persons Hackathon in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.Today’s event will see the gathering of ethical hackers and investigators using online investigative techniques within the bounds of the law to find new leads on real missing persons cases in Australia. Contestants will be using their cyber skills to gather open source intelligence (OSINT) on long-term missing persons using only information that is publicly available on the internet. The goal of this is to generate new leads on cases that can provide assistance to the relevant Australian policing jurisdictions in their investigations.“This is the first large-scale, crowdsourced open-source intelligence gathering of its kind in Australia for missing persons, and a first for a country to participate simultaneously in this manner,” said Linda Cavanagh, Manager of the Canberra Cyber Security Innovation Node.“This is where innovation brings social value, creating an event which is unlike any other hackathon or capture the flag (CTF) challenge. Theoretical concepts are put aside so participants can operate in real time, with real (open source) data for real human impact.”ACT is host to the main event, which will be live streamed to all participating locations.Twelve missing persons will be selected from existing National Missing Person Coordination Centre cases for participants to collect OSINT on and to generate new information. All leads generated on the missing person cases will be handed to the Australian Federal Police and National Missing Persons Coordination Centre after the completion of the event.“Police often say that the community are our eyes and ears. We’re taking this concept to a new level,” said Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz.“By involving the community, and in this case hackers, into the search for missing persons, we hope to solve more long-term missing person cases in a way that police could not do alone.”The concept of this crowdsourced platform originates from not-for-profit organisation Trace Labs. They have delivered their CTF model throughout Canada and the United States, but this is first time they’ve run simultaneous events across a whole country.“Our goal is to partner with law enforcement and organisations like AustCyber on crowdsourced intelligence initiatives to enhance public safety around the world and enable the community to be involved in tackling complex social issues” said Adrian Korn, Director of OSINT Operations & Strategic Initiatives at Trace Labs.The partnership between the AustCyber Canberra Node, Australian Federal Police, National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and Trace Labs demonstrates the value they bring together, including:harnessing the Australian community to generate leads and assist police in their investigations on missing person cases;showcasing the different elements to cyber security such as ‘ethical hackers’;highlighting the diversity of cyber security careers, skills and the people who hold them; anddemonstrating cyber security crowdsourcing as a technical value add element to law enforcement as well as a social value add element to the community.The National Sponsors of the event are Telstra, Fifth Domain, Australian Information Security Association, and in partnership, the Commonwealth Bank and University of New South Wales SECEdu.The National Missing Persons Hackathon is held during Australian Cyber Week 2019, which runs from 7-11 October 2019. Further informationAustCyber Canberra Cyber Security Innovation Node (Canberra Node)The establishment of the Canberra Node is intended to strengthen the ACT region’s cyber security industry and align with the priority actions identified in AustCyber’s Sector Competitiveness Plan. It is a partnership between AustCyber and ACT Government.The Canberra Node’s strategic work plan identifies three principles to provide a proactive approach in addressing issues identified in the ACT, including:fostering collaboration among government, private sector and academia to create a sharper focus towards innovation and growth;identifying opportunities to increase the supply of talent, enhance capacity of the existing workforce and strengthen educational pathways; anddeveloping a strong and confident ecosystem that supports creating mature, market-ready and competitive local businesses.Website: www.austcyber.comAustralian Federal Police, National Missing Persons Coordination CentreThe National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is a non-operational arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The NMPCC was established in 2006 to drive national coordination in response to missing persons in Australia, and to complement the investigative role of State and Territory police. Its mandate is to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia and as a function of the AFP, the NMPCC is funded by the Federal Government.Website: www.missingpersons.gov.au Trace LabsTrace Labs is a not-for-profit organisation designed to help people on the worst day of their lives. Trace Labs leverages a crowdsourced intelligence platform to help with this situation. They have taken the traditional Capture the Flag (CTF) competition that we see at every information security conference and evolved it. It is no longer a theoretical exercise but instead they take the efforts of the contestants to help law enforcement locate missing persons. This takes place through open source intelligence (OSINT) gathering. The CTF focus is OSINT and all flags are for details on the missing persons. These details are collected and then submitted to law enforcement.Website: www.tracelabs.org Media enquiriesLinda Cavanagh, Canberra Cyber Security Innovation Node ManagerPhone: 0481 911 679Email: linda@austcyber.com Olivia Grandjean-Thomsen, Communication and Engagement Manager at AustCyberPhone: 0402 136 788Email: olivia@austcyber.com Australian Federal Police Media TeamPhone: (02) 5126 9297

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) today has welcomed Uber Australia into their Corporate Supporter Network in time for National Missing Persons Week 2019.The NMPCC relies on its network of Corporate Supporters to reach millions of people across the country to raise awareness of missing persons, and to educate the community on the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons in Australia.To coincide with National Missing Persons Week 2019, Uber Australia will be sharing long term missing person’s profiles and campaign information within Uber Green Light Hubs nationally to raise awareness of the week.Head of Uber’s APAC Law Enforcement Operations Team Michael McTiernan said that Uber’s commitment goes well beyond this week.“Uber has a team of former law enforcement professionals who work with police to assist in investigations and help keep the community safe and this new partnership is building on that work,” he said.“We’re introducing a permanent commitment to activations in our driver support centres across the country which will feature rotating stories of Australians who have gone missing. And we’ll be highlighting missing person’s profiles provided by the AFP NMPCC year round throughout driver-partner and delivery-partner newsletters,”“Uber is a huge community of people. We hope that the community of 82,000 driver and delivery partners who regularly use the Uber apps may be the eyes and ears the community needs to reconnect a missing person with their loved ones.” Michael McTiernan said.Access to Uber Australia’s community of driver and delivery partners provides the NMPCC with an incredible opportunity to expand its reach and messaging, accessing more areas of the community that may not commonly think about the impacts of missing persons and how they can help.AFP Commander Justine Gough said everyone can play a role in finding missing people.“With the generous partnerships such as this one, we can reach a diverse range of people in the community who may have information that assist police,“Thank you to Uber Australia for supporting our cause and helping families and friends of Australia’s 2,600 long-term missing persons,” said Commander Gough.Media enquiries: AFP National Media: (02) 5126 9297Subscribe and receive email alerts (link: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases) when new media releases are published.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is shining a spotlight on Australia’s long term missing with the launch of National Missing Persons Week (NMPW) running from 4 - 10 August 2019.Annually, National Missing Persons Week strives to create awareness throughout the wider Australian community, targeting those who have never thought about a missing person or the impact it has on their families and friends.In its 31st year, National Missing Persons Week aims to continue this narrative by focusing on ‘individuals not statistics’ – the theme of this year’s campaign. It’s about going beyond the statistics of Australia’s missing population and focusing on the individuals.AFP Commander Justine Gough who among her roles manages the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre said it is sometimes easy to generalise the 2,600 long term missing persons in Australia and lose the essence of the individual.“The people captured in the statistic are not just ‘missing persons’, they are fathers, daughters, and sons; students, chefs and academics, we don’t want people to forget that,” Commander Gough said.As part of the National Missing Persons Week campaign for 2019, the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre is profiling eight long-term missing persons from around the nation. Unlike previous years, the new design removes the ‘persons’ from National Missing Persons Week and replaces it with the name of the real person being profiled.The eight profiles have been selected by the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre in consultation with State and Territory Missing Persons Units and include Andrew Dymott (VIC), Ashley Bindon (NSW), David Mansell (SA), Martyn Tann (WA), Michael Lorenz-Schrader (QLD), Nazrawi Woldemichael (TAS), Rebecca Hayward (NT), and Wendy Dalla (ACT).To complement the profiling element of the campaign, the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre have also joined forces with media personalities and social media influencers to amplify messaging on social media during National Missing Persons Week. The influencers will use their platform to share content to raise awareness of the issue and importance of the week.AFP Commander Gough reminds us that no-one is immune to the social issue, and that it’s all of our responsibility to help raise awareness to reduce the incidence and impact ‘missingness’ has on our society.“Anyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or educational background, may face the issue of someone they know becoming a missing person. It is crucial we reach the wider Australian community; those who have never thought about a missing person, or who believe the impact of a missing person will never affect them.“The community also plays a critical role in helping police find people who go missing, and we urge anyone with information relating to a missing person, no matter how small, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” said Commander Gough.Members of the community sharing their stories and support throughout National Missing Persons Week 2019 are encouraged to use the hashtags #IndividualsNotStatistics and #NMPW2019 in support of this year’s campaignNational Missing Persons Week is supported by the Outdoor Media Association. For more information on the NMPCC and NMPW 2019 and to watch the campaign unfold, visit www.missingpersons.gov.au or https://www.facebook.com/AFPNMPCC.ABOUT MISSING PERSONS IN AUSTRALIAIn Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to police, whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for the safety or concern for the welfare of that person. A long-term missing person is someone who has been missing for more than three months.ABOUT THE NATIONAL MISSING PERSONS COORDINATION CENTREThe AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre plays an active role in coordinating national police efforts, and educating the Australian community to prevent the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre is a non-operational arm of the AFP which put simply means, the team is not involved in the investigations of missing persons. All investigations are undertaken by the relevant State and Territory Police.Each year, the AFP, through the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, takes the lead in coordinating the national promotion of the week to the Australian public.Editor’s NoteRadio grabs from AFP Commander Justine Gough can be downloaded here.Media EnquiriesFor more information or to request an interview on National Missing Persons Week 2019, get in touch with Australian Federal Police.AFP National Media(02) 5126 6395AFPNationalMedia@afp.gov.au

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Canberra Milk are joining forces to put the faces of missing people back on milk bottles in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).AFP Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz said the initiative – which launches in the ACT region on 6 June – will see 12 long-term missing people with connections to the Canberra region featured on one litre fresh milk bottles for six weeks.“This initiative will result in missing persons’ profiles being seen by many thousands of Canberrans every time they have a bowl of cereal, bake a cake or make a cup of tea,” Assistant Commissioner Platz said.“It takes back to the days, before Amber Alerts and social media notifications, to when reports of missing people appeared in a place guaranteed to catch the eyes of the broader population – on milk cartons.“In turn, we hope this tried-and-tested method will start a new conversation about the region’s missing people and how the community can help police find them.”Capitol Chilled Foods Australia, Director David Tyack said we wanted to take part in this opportunity to partner with the AFP & NMPCC, to help those in our community that have been effected by loved ones gone missing.“We thought it would be a great idea to help get the message out by going old school and advertising on our 1L Canberra Milk Full Cream bottles”, Director David Tyack said.ACT Chief Police Officer (CPO) Ray Johnson said it’s important that we raise awareness of this issue of long term missing people, and how Canberrans are our eyes and ears.“There are families who have been waiting, in some cases for decades, for news about their loved ones. This new campaign is one more tool to that may provide vital information to investigators in each of these 12 cases.“If you recognise any of the missing people profiled in the campaign, or have information about any of Australia’s long-term missing persons on the Public Register at www.missingpersons.gov.au, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” CPO Johnson said.For more information on the AFP National Missing Person’s Coordination Centre (NMPCC), visit: www.missingpersons.gov.au and www.facebook.com/AFPNMPCC. The Canberra Milk one litre bottles can be purchased from all usual Canberra Milk retailers.The twelve profiles have been selected by the ACT Policing missing person unit and include:Laura HAWORTH (ACT)Elizabeth HERFORT (ACT)Amelia HAUSIA (ACT)Kate ALEXANDER (ACT)Megan MULQUINEY (ACT)David ABUOI (ACT)Jean POLICARPIO(ACT)Owen WILLIAMS (SA)Wayne PICKETT (NSW)Anthony FAHEY NSW)Robert JACOB (ACT)Wendy DALLA (ACT)Subscribe and receive email alerts(link: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases) when new media releases are published.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has released a short film on International Missing Children’s Day to raise awareness of missing children in Australia and around the world.Today (25 May) is a day for remembering children from Australia and across the world who are still missing, paying tribute to those who were victims of crime, acknowledging children who found their way home, and supporting the families, friends and communities of missing children in their ongoing search.The AFP National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) has developed a digital campaign to spread awareness of this important day and the issues associated with it. The campaign includes a digital poster series designed to highlight the prevalence of missing children on a global scale, and the focus piece, a creative video, that depicts a little girl who represents over one million missing children around the world, and the life experiences that could have been. AFP Manager Child Protection, Commander Justine Gough, said the short film provides some insight of the effect that a missing child can have upon those who are left behind.“We hope this film shows the impact that a missing child can have on their family members, friends and loved ones.”“When a child goes missing, there is not only the initial pain and loss associated with the horrific event, there is also the ongoing impact the family members feel.”“That child’s potential, everything they could have done, or big milestones they would have achieved are painful reminders of the loss that may have occurred many years earlier,” Commander Gough said.The loss of a missing child is one felt intensely by Wodonga couple Jim and Cathy McDougall.In 2007, their daughter, Chantelle and granddaughter, Leela, were reported missing. In the 12 years that have followed, there is still no definitive answer to the question, what happened to them? “I guess it doesn’t get any easier, the hard part for me is that it seems to get harder rather than easier,” said Jim McDougall, when reflecting on the life he and his wife lead in hope to one day be reunited with both Chantelle and Leela.This International Missing Children’s Day the NMPCC is also re-releasing an age-progressed image of Leela McDougall in the hope that someone out there today may be able to recognise her.“It would be lovely to be able to see her, to talk to her; it’s absolutely a good likeness of her I think”, said Cathy McDougall.Approximately 25,000 young people are reported missing in Australia every year. Most children who are reported missing are found safe and well within 24 hours. For those who are not, what follows can be months and years of heartbreak and confusion.Around the world, it is estimated that over one million young people are reported missing every year.This year’s digital campaign has been shared with the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children’s (ICMEC) Global Missing Children’s Network (GMCN) in order to promote the message worldwide. The GMCN is an important coalition of 29 countries across five continents that works together to unite the global community to find missing children."There are model countries when it comes to finding missing kids and Australia through the AFP's NMPCC, is leading the way," Said Paul Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer of ICMEC."Together with all of our member countries - we are creating a movement that leverages the best technology and strategy to face this issue.”“We are proud to celebrate International Missing Children's Day 2019 to highlight the prevalence of missing children worldwide and the progress we are making together”.For further information on missing persons and to share the International Missing Children’s Day message with your networks, visit ‘The National Missing Persons Coordination’ Facebook page (@AFPNMPCC). Profiles can also be viewed at missingpersons.gov.au. The AFP works with State and Territory police to profile missing persons, and the Family Law Courts to publicise and recover parentally abducted children. Anyone with information relating to a missing or parentally abducted child is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00. Media enquiries:AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333Subscribe and receive email alerts (link: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases) when new media releases are published.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) today launched an updated missing persons framework in collaboration with the University of New England and public health researcher Dr Sarah Wayland.Acknowledging the Empty Space: A framework to enhance support of people left behind when someone is missing provides an update to the 2007 edition combining international research with practical advice to assist police, media and counsellors in supporting people with a missing loved one.More than 38,000 missing person reports are made to police every year in Australia and while the majority of missing persons are found safe and well, more than 2,600 remain missing long-term.All missing persons leave behind a network of people who must be supported.AFP Assistant Commissioner, Debbie Platz said the reasons for a person’s disappearance are many and varied but for each missing person there are family, friends, colleagues and a community left wondering what has become of someone they love.“Dr Wayland’s updated framework provides an incredible opportunity to support those left behind and educate everyone involved including law enforcement, counsellors, media and the wider community,” AC Platz said.Researcher and former manager of the NSW Department of Justice, Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit Dr Wayland outlined what typically happens when someone goes missing and the impact their disappearance has on families and friends."Often, when people came for counselling, they'd say they were traumatised not just by the fact that their loved one was missing but also by people's uncertainty about the support they might need, purely because they had never faced such a loss before," Dr Wayland said.The updated framework contains insights from family members, friends and others who have experienced firsthand the pain caused when a loved one goes missing. The framework explores how supportive interventions and social connectedness can ease the burden of ‘not knowing’ by providing information on how to support and interact with families and friends left behind.To launch the release of the update of this highly anticipated framework, the NMPCC will be hosting a Facebook Live Q&A Session on their Facebook page at 12.30 pm today. The Q&A will provide those interested with the opportunity to hear from and engage with Dr Wayland to learn more about the updated research.The updated framework is available on the NMPCC website: https://missingpersons.gov.au/about/publicationsMedia enquiries:AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333