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This is a joint media release issued by the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.Police are urging families, friends, colleagues, and communities across Australia to stay connected this National Missing Persons Week (31 July – 6 August), which launched today in Melbourne to draw attention to people in our community who are still missing.The Australian Federal Police (AFP), through its National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, has partnered with Victoria Police for this year’s campaign; Missing people leave frayed edges—Stay connected. With more than 35,000 people in Australian reported as missing each year, the campaign aims to draw attention to those still missing, as well as highlight support services available for their family and friends.AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the issue of missing persons in Australia impacts the wider community.“We could fill the MCG more than four times over with loved ones left behind in these heartbreaking circumstances,” Commissioner Colvin said.“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.”Victoria Police has been working with the State’s Department of Justice and Regulation (DoJR) to further enhance support services within the community. Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said these services were available to assist those at risk of going missing, and to family and friends of missing persons.“We currently have several sites across the state at which DoJR have embedded victim support workers from the Victims Assistance and Counselling program,” DC Steendam said.“These workers provide support for families and friends, while our members thoroughly investigate their cases.“Our Missing Persons Unit is also establishing a new webpage, dedicated to not only publicising missing persons cases, but also providing information for the families and friends of missing people to assist them in dealing with the situation.“We want to make sure that the families of missing people are well supported in what is a very traumatic and distressing time.”As part of the national campaign, police are also reminding the public there is no need to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. A report can be made as soon as there are fears for the person’s welfare and safety, and their whereabouts are unknown.National Missing Persons Week is supported by Chemist Warehouse, McDonalds, Foxtel and the Outdoor Media Association.To view Australia’s national register of missing persons, visit the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre website at www.missingpersons.gov.au, where information about support services across Australia can also be found.Anyone with information relating to a missing person is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Media enquiries:AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333Victoria Police (03) 9247 5205

On 25 August 1973, 11-year-old Joanne Ratcliffe took four-year-old Kirste Gordon to the bathroom during an AFL match at the Adelaide Oval. They had gone to the bathroom together earlier while Joanne’s parents and Kirste’s grandmother watched the game, but this time round they didn’t return to their seats. After 15 minutes Joanne’s mother went to find them.They were gone.Despite a $1 million reward announced in 2014 the girls have never been found. For the past 43 years their families have never given up hope.On the 25 May 2016, the AFP launched its annual International Missing Children’s Day event, a global recognition of missing children and a support for their loved ones.This year’s theme, ‘Forget-Me-Not’, encourages the public to think about long and short term missing children. Approximately 150 of the 2000 long-term missing persons in Australia are aged under 18.AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin launched the event at the National Arboretum in Canberra. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic community, stakeholders and families of missing persons. Commissioner Colvin said this year’s theme was an opportunity to spread a message of solidarity to the families of missing children, and to remind them we have not forgotten, nor have we lost hope.“For parents, family and friends, not knowing what has happened to a loved one has a profound impact,” he said.“We will continue to work closely with our state and territory partners to find answers to these questions and to ensure the safety of all Australian children.”This year, the NMPCC is raising awareness of the positive work families do when a loved one goes missing.Leaving a light on for JoanneSpeaking at the launch was Suzie Ratcliffe, the younger sister of Joanne, who was born 14 months after Joanne went missing. Suzie recalls her mum leaving the front light on for Joanne.“For years following my sister’s disappearance, my mum left the front porch light on, in the event Joanne ever found her way home,” she said.“Forty-three years later, we still leave a light on in memory of her.”Inspired to do more, in 2015 Suzie launched the ‘Leave a Light On’ campaign. It simply asks Australians to leave on their front lights on October 21 to raise awareness of long-term missing persons. Her family still hopes that one day they will have answers about her sister Joanne, and they will be able to bring her home.

Remembering those children who are still missing and supporting loved ones in their search are key elements to this year’s International Missing Children’s Day campaign, a day recognised globally on 25 May each year.The Australian Federal Police (AFP), through its National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), is launching the campaign in Canberra today.The day highlights the continued efforts of police, family, friends and the wider community to find missing children, and pays tribute to children who have been victims of crime. It is also a celebration of missing children who have found their way home.This year’s ‘Forget-Me-Not’ theme encourages the public to think about children who have been missing for months, and in many cases, decades. There are more than 2000 long-term missing persons in Australia at present, with around 150 of those being people aged 18 or under.AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the NMPCC plays an active role in educating the Australian community on missing persons’ issues, and noted there was a higher risk of vulnerable people, such as children, going missing.“We know that, of the more than 35,000 people reported missing to police in Australia each year, close to two-thirds are children. While the majority are found within 24 hours, there are still those whose whereabouts remain unknown,” Commissioner Colvin said.“For parents, family and friends, not knowing what has happened to a loved one has a profound impact. Those questions—where are they, are they safe, do they need me—can remain unanswered for weeks, months and, sadly years. But rest assured, we will continue to work closely with our State and Territory partners to find answers to these questions and to ensure the safety of all Australian children.”This year, the NMPCC is raising awareness of the valuable work families do in the wake of experiencing a missing loved one. Suzie Ratcliffe is one such family member. Suzie’s charity, Leave a Light On, aims to raise awareness of long-term missing person’s cases, and asks the community to never forget.“My 11-year-old sister Joanne (Ratcliffe), along with Kirste Gordon, four at the time, disappeared from the Adelaide Oval in South Australia in 1973,” Ms Ratcliffe said.“For years following my sister’s disappearance, my mother left the front porch light on, in the event Joanne ever found her way home. Forty-three years later, we still leave a light on in memory of her.”Kirste Gordon’s parents, Greg and Christine, described the difficulties faced by families left behind, and the strength required to keep moving forward.“When the girls were abducted, we could do little but wait and contemplate the mystery of where they may have gone,” Mr Gordon said.“In the time since, it has been important to us to feel in control of our lives for the sake of our family. We are most grateful to the police for their support and for the effort they continue to apply to find a resolution.”In recent years technology has enabled the AFP and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to develop smart phone apps to help ‘keep our kids safe’. The foundation’s ‘Help Me’ app sounds a warning and allows children to send an SMS to nominated 'safety' numbers, as part of a child’s Trusted Safety Network. Included in the text are GPS co-ordinates from where the text was sent, so the sender can be located or a last known place of contact is indicated.The AFP’s Australian Police Child ID app—an electronic ‘Identity Kit’ which can be used to file a missing person’s report—helps parents and carers provide information immediately to police about their child’s appearance, images, and networks, in the event a child goes missing.Anyone with information relating to a missing child is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Media enquiries: AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333

In 2016 the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre will focus on raising awareness of the impacts of missing persons within the community. Our key message 'Missing persons leave frayed edges, Stay connected' reminds us all of the importance of staying connected with family and friends and enhancing the support networks for those most at risk of going missing. The impact of missing personsAnyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or educational background, may face the issue of someone they know becoming a missing person. The impact on families and friends, and the missing people themselves, can be both profound and multi-faceted. Commonly reported impacts on family and friends of missing persons include health consequences, time off from work, and financial costs associated with the search.Impacts on Families and friendsMost missing persons are reported to police by family. Research reveals that for every missing person reported, on average at least 12 other people are affected whether it is emotionally, physically, psychologically or financially. For families, not knowing what has happened to someone they love is devastating.Impacts on missing personsFor the missing person themselves it is often difficult to find the support they require to address their situation. Research conducted in the UK found that “being labelled as missing was traumatic […] and the loss of control to talk about their experiences in a way that was meaningful for them added to the trauma.” Geographies of Missing Persons 2013People who intentionally go missing often do so to escape or remove themselves from something that isn’t making them happy. These people are generally lacking the support they require to manage their situation and may feel that going missing is their only option. Improving community support is key to reducing the impacts on missing persons.Impacts on the communityPart of our mandate is to reduce the impact of missing persons on the Australian community. Awareness of the issue and enhancing community support mechanisms are key parts of our strategy.

More than 35,000 people are reported missing in Australia each year, with an estimated 2,000 people currently listed as a long-term missing person—missing for more than three months.That is why initiatives such as our #summerofhope campaign are vital to raise awareness of missing persons in our community.The campaign aims to engage directly with the online community in the hope of resolving long-term missing person’s cases.Every week throughout December and January the AFP and State and Territory police will share profiles of long-term missing persons through their social media channels to reach as many people as possible.We encourage all Australians to visit the AFP’s Facebook page, look at, and share the missing person profiles; using the #summerofhope hashtag. You or someone you know may have information which could help families reconnect, or solve a long-term missing person’s case.If you have information about a missing person profiled contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. For further information visit www.missingpersons.gov.au.

The ‘Capital to the Coast’ tour was a joint initiative between the AFP and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation which took place in the week leading into Day for Daniel in October 2015. The Daniel Morcombe Foundation promotional truck, ‘Big Red’, toured primary schools from Canberra to the NSW South Coast delivering child safety presentations.The tour started in Canberra on Friday 23 October and concluded on the NSW South Coast on Thursday 29 October. ‘Big Red’ stopped at various towns along the way including Queanbeyan, Braidwood, Batemans Bay and Narooma, to reach as many schools as possible and help educate kids on how to keep safe. Schools in the ACT who registered for Day for Daniel also had the exciting opportunity to secure ‘Big Red’ on Friday 30 October – Day for Daniel.The educational tour was targeted at primary school students in grades four to six and aimed to educate children on how to recognise, react and report potential dangers and threats.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s ‘Big Red’ truck will feature in the inaugural ‘Capital to the Coast’ tour next month (October), in support of Day for Daniel 2015.In the week preceding Day for Daniel on October 30, ‘Big Red’ will travel from Canberra to the NSW South Coast delivering child safety presentations to primary schools from Queanbeyan to Batemans Bay, through to Narooma, and down to Pambula.The tour is a joint initiative between the Australian Federal Police National Missing Persons Coordination Centre and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.As part of the tour, ThinkUKnow online safety sessions will also be conducted, educating parents, carers and teachers on the challenges they and children may face online, and how to overcome them in a safe and ethical way.AFP Day for Daniel Ambassador Rebecca Kotz, and fellow ambassador and South Coast local Melissa Pouliot will lead the tour, saying it is the first time Big Red will visit the region, and the first time the Daniel Morcombe Foundation will lend the truck for such a tour.“Educating children on personal safety is the key aim of the foundation, and that of the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre,” Ms Kotz said.“The AFP proudly supports the foundation and we are pleased to be able to provide this great resource to south coast primary schools who have registered for Day for Daniel.“The sessions will educate and empower our children to Recognise, React, Report when they feel unsafe in both physical and online environments.”Ms Pouliot, whose cousin Ursula Barwick has been missing since the early 1980s, encourages all local schools to register for Day for Daniel for the opportunity to have a visit from the ambassadors and Big Red.“Child safety is an issue close to my heart,” she said. “The greater safety education we can provide, the safer our children will be.”ACT schools who register for Day for Daniel will also have a chance to secure a visit from Big Red on October 30.Registration is so easy, it only takes three minutesTo have a chance to secure a visit from Big Red, South Coast primary schools from Batemans Bay to Pambula should register (under the ‘Register your school’ tab) at: www.dayfordaniel.com.auMore information on the ThinkUKnow online safety message can be found at: www.thinkUknow.org.au

The Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force have launched the 2015 National Missing Persons Week campaign to raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons.Acting Australian Federal Police Commissioner Michael Phelan and NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie officially launched the week-long campaign in Sydney today (Monday 3 August 2015), where they reminded Australians you don’t have to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing.In 2015, the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is urging people to ‘Follow Your Instincts’ if you suspect someone you know is missing.“There is no minimum timeframe associated with reporting someone missing. The very definition of a missing person is where there are ‘concerns for the safety and welfare of a person’, and ‘their whereabouts are unknown’,” acting Commissioner Phelan said.“A colleague that fails to turn up to work without notice; a parent that doesn’t return from a walk; a son that misses a birthday dinner... If a person’s disappearance is out of character and you have concerns for their safety and welfare, follow your instincts and report to police immediately.”Long-term missing persons from each State and Territory are being profiled as part of the campaign, including NSW missing person Ursula Barwick, who was last seen in Kings Cross in December 1987. Her father Peter Barwick, and cousin, Melissa Pouliot, spoke at the launch, together with Assistant Commissioner Barrie.“Our hope is that today’s appeal will help bring closure to Ursula’s family after nearly 30 years of not knowing what’s happened,” Assistant Commissioner Barrie said.“In 2014, almost 12,000 people were reported missing in NSW, and while the majority were located safe and well, 57 still remain missing.“National Missing Persons Week therefore gives us an opportunity to remember those who are still lost, and garner new leads that could help bring them home,” Assistant Commissioner Barrie said.“Kings Cross police have formed Strike Force Hemingway as they continue inquiries to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Ursula’s disappearance, and they’re keen to hear from anyone who may be able to shed new light on the investigation.”An age-progressed image of Ursula, which was created by the AFP NMPCC, has been released to media to illustrate what she may look like today.“Someone knows something about Ursula’s disappearance, so no matter how insignificant it may seem, I urge them to contact police immediately,” Assistant Commissioner Barrie said.As part of this year’s campaign, the AFP has also launched a partnership with the Outdoor Media Association (OMA) to profile long-term missing persons on billboards, taxi backs, bus shelters and digital out-of-home channels Australian wide.The out-of-home advertising will complement media and social media efforts, along with community service announcements on free-to-air television and long-time partners, Foxtel’s Criminal Investigations network.“We thank all our corporate supporters—Chemist Warehouse, McDonalds, the OMA, and Foxtel—who continue to profile missing persons cases in support of our coordinated efforts,” acting Commissioner Phelan said.“This combined exposure of missing persons may trigger someone to provide information to police, bringing resolution to families and friends who long await news.”The OMA have also been working in partnership with the NSW Police Force to help promote the profiles of missing persons around the state.OMA CEO, Charmaine Moldrich, said the Out-of-Home industry is committed to contributing to, and supporting, the community.“We are proud to continue our longstanding relationship with the New South Wales Police Force – our support of their National Missing Persons Week campaign now spans seven consecutive years – and taking the campaign to a national audience in partnership with the AFP is a natural progression,” Ms Moldrich said.Our audiences keep growing and our digital reach is increasing – using this unique position to broadcast critical information that could bring solace to people in need is very important to us.”National Missing Persons Week runs from Sunday 2 August to Saturday 8 August 2015.Profiles of missing persons can be viewed at www.missingpersons.gov.au.

Research shows there are several myths about missing persons commonly held within the community. One of the NMPCC's awareness objectives is to dispel these myths in the hope that awareness of the facts will reduce the incidence of missing persons. In 2015 the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre will focus on raising awareness within the community of the common myths and facts surrounding missing persons.The central messaging and branding designed to help communicate the theme is 'follow your instincts’. Merchandise and advertising has been produced and distributed across Australia to form a national educational strategy in support of this campaign.Follow your instinctsOne of the most common myths surrounding missing persons is that you have to wait before reporting someone as missing. It’s common for people think they need to wait 24 hours, 48 hours, or sometimes even longer before they can make a missing persons report to police.In Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone whose whereabouts are unknown, and there are immediate concerns for their safety and welfare. If someone you know is missing follow your instincts and report immediately.More InformationFor more information on some of the other common myths surrounding missing persons, please view the following NMPCC publications:Missing Persons Myths and Facts FactsheetFor more information on missing persons contact the NMPCC.

Minister for Justice the Hon. Michael Keenan and AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin encouraged Australians to continue their efforts to locate those still missing at the launch of International Missing Children’s Day 2015 today.The day will be recognised globally on Monday 25 May, with this year’s focus being on the safe location and recovery of children who have been abducted by a parent.Commissioner Colvin said the location and recovery of missing children, including those taken by a parent, is often a collaborative law enforcement and community effort.“The AFP has now listed children who have been abducted by a parent in a dedicated ‘Family Court’ tab on our missingpersons.gov.au website. I strongly encourage everyone to visit the page and provide information anonymously to Crime Stoppers if you are aware of a child’s location”International Missing Children’s Day commemorates missing children who have found their way home, remember those who have been victims of crime, and continue efforts to find those who are unfortunately still missing.“The AFP Facebook page will be encouraging the community to replace their profile picture with a ‘Help bring them home’ white balloon to raise awareness of missing children on the day. I encourage the community to support this and release a balloon of a missing child” said Commissioner Colvin.The AFP receives around 400 recovery orders from the Family Court of Australia each year. On average, 142 new Hague Convention applications are recorded by the Attorney-General’s Department, of which around half relate to children taken out of the country. “The issue of parental abductions is a sensitive one, and one that causes great emotional and psychological strain,” Commissioner Colvin said.“I congratulate all those involved—police, government agencies and non-for-profit organisations—for their tireless efforts in trying to locate all missing children around Australia and to help bring them home to their families. The AFP is committed to working with all our national and international partner agencies to ensure the safety of all Australian children.”Anyone with information relating to a missing child is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In 2014 the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre's focus was on raising awareness within the community of the links between dementia and missing persons. Each year the we build awareness messaging around one of the key groups in the community most at risk of going missing.What can I do to help?If you are a carer of person suffering from dementia who may be at risk of wandering and going missing, consider whether registration in a safe return program, an ID bracelet or other means of identification may be suited to your situation.The NMPCC also encourages the carers of people with Dementia to consider ways to help those suffering from this illness. This year, the NMPCC has developed a range of merchandise specifically targeted at carers and dementia sufferers, with the theme of "Remembering".More informationFor more information on Dementia and Missing Persons, please view the following NMPCC fact sheets:Missing persons and dementia fact sheetMissing persons and dementia: Safer WalkingMissing persons and dementia: WanderingFor more information on Alzheimer's and Dementia contact Dementia Australia or call the dementia helpline on 1800 100 500