Lyla Lindsey
People go missing in Australia for a variety of reasons, with about 38,000 missing persons reports received by police each year. While most missing people are found within a short period, about 2,600 people remain missing for more than three months, with cases remaining active until the person is located. Anyone can be reported missing if their disappearance is out of character and there are concerns for their safety and welfare. Common reasons for adults going missing include mental illness, misadventure, homelessness, and domestic violence, while for children, it includes family conflict, mental health issues, and peer pressure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of missing persons reports received by police each year | 38,000 |
| Number of people who have been missing for more than three months | 2,600 |
| Percentage of people reported missing in 2023 who were located | 99% |
| Percentage of people found who were found alive and well | Almost 100% |
| Percentage of missing persons reports relating to 13–17-year-olds | 50% |
| Primary groups at risk of going missing | Those suffering from a mental illness, young people (especially females) aged 13–17, and the elderly |
| Reasons for going missing | Anxiety and depression, misadventure, homelessness, dementia, domestic violence, becoming a victim of crime, and drug/alcohol abuse |
| Common reasons for children going missing | Breakdown in communication, family conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, peer pressure, and drug/alcohol abuse |
| Organisations that help in locating missing persons | Crime Stoppers Australia, NSW Police Force, NMPCC, MANWG, PCGMP, Victoria Police |
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What You'll Learn
Why people go missing
There are many reasons why people go missing in Australia. Firstly, it is important to note that anyone can be reported as missing, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or background. However, certain groups are more at risk of going missing, including young people, particularly females aged 13-17, adults, and the elderly. People with mental illnesses or physical disabilities are also more vulnerable to becoming missing persons.
Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are significant factors in people going missing. Family dysfunction, conflict, miscommunication, peer pressure, child abuse or neglect, and poor coping skills can also contribute to a person's disappearance. Additionally, domestic violence, homelessness, and becoming a victim of crime or abduction are other reasons why individuals may go missing.
In some cases, misadventure, which can include getting lost during outdoor activities or travelling to unfamiliar areas, leads to people going missing. Drug and alcohol abuse can also play a role in an individual's disappearance. Furthermore, individuals with dementia or other health impairments may unintentionally go missing as they may become disoriented or lost.
It is important to note that going missing is not a crime, and anyone with concerns about the safety or welfare of an individual should report them as missing to the police without delay. Most people reported missing in Australia are found, and in 2023, over 99% of those reported missing were located, with almost all found alive and well.
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Who is at risk
While anyone can become a missing person in Australia, certain groups are more at risk of going missing. There are approximately 38,000 missing persons reports submitted to the police each year, with 50% relating to those aged between 13 and 17. Young people, particularly adolescent girls, are therefore considered a high-risk group. Common reasons for children going missing include a breakdown in communication, family conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, peer pressure, and drug and alcohol abuse.
The elderly are also considered a group at risk of going missing. Adults, in general, are more likely to be missing long-term. Other at-risk groups include those suffering from mental illness, those living with an intellectual or physical disability, and those without lifesaving medication. People who are vulnerable due to their health, age, or other impairments should be reported as missing immediately.
In addition, those suffering from anxiety and depression, homelessness, dementia, substance abuse, and those who are victims of crime or domestic violence are also at risk of going missing. It is important to note that anyone can be reported as missing if their disappearance is out of character and there are concerns for their safety and welfare. If there are genuine concerns for an individual's safety and welfare and their location is unknown, a report can be made to the police right away.
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How to report someone missing
If you are concerned about the welfare of someone who is travelling or residing in Australia and you are unsure of their whereabouts, you can file a missing person report at your local police station. It is important to remember that going missing is not a crime, and there is no need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. The sooner the police are alerted, the sooner they can begin their investigation and the more likely the person will be found safe and well.
When filing a missing person's report, it is important to provide the police with as many facts and circumstances related to the disappearance as possible. This includes any search efforts you have already made, as well as the following information about the person:
- Name
- Age
- Home address
- Employment information
- A recent, clear, and coloured photograph
- Physical description
- Mobile phone numbers
- Social media accounts
- Vehicle registrations
If you are overseas and want to report someone as missing in Australia, you can contact the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) by phone, email, or mail. The NMPCC is a non-operational arm of the Australian Federal Police, which works to reduce the impact of missing persons across Australia. They manage the Australian Missing Persons website and public register, and they are active on social media, helping to raise awareness of missing persons and the efforts to find them.
If you have been incorrectly reported as missing, you can contact Crime Stoppers or the police to let them know you are safe and well. Your privacy will be maintained, and your whereabouts will not be released without your permission.
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How to find someone
If you are trying to find someone in Australia, there are a few methods you can try. The first step is to determine whether the person is, in fact, missing. If you have genuine concerns for the safety and well-being of a person and are unsure of their whereabouts, you should report them missing to your local police station. There is no need to wait 24 hours before making a report, and the police will treat each case with urgency. You can also contact Crime Stoppers Australia, which maintains the privacy of the missing person when they are found.
If the person is not considered missing, but you are still trying to locate them, there are a few online tools and services that can help. Reverse Australia and Person Lookup Australia are two such tools that can reveal a person's address and name if you have their mobile phone or landline number. White Pages is another similar service that can provide a phone number if you know the person's full name and suburb.
If these methods are unsuccessful, you may need to hire a private investigator or a company like Precise Investigation to conduct a more thorough search. These professionals can help with background checks, surveillance, and skip tracing to locate the person you are looking for. However, be cautious of scams and always verify the legitimacy of any service you consider hiring.
Additionally, the National Archives of Australia's NameSearch tool allows you to search for records relating to a person using their family name and other personal information. This can be useful if you are looking for records related to defence service, migration, or naturalisation.
Remember that each search method has its limitations, and success is not guaranteed, especially with the ever-changing nature of disappearances. Combining multiple methods and sources of information may increase your chances of finding the person you are looking for.
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Support for families of missing persons
When a person goes missing, their loved ones are often left with many unanswered questions, and the experience can be traumatic and stressful. In Australia, there are a number of support services available to families and friends of missing persons, offering both practical and emotional support.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is a non-operational arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that provides support and guidance to families and friends of missing persons. They have developed a support framework and resources to help those left behind cope with the unique experience of having a missing loved one. The NMPCC also works with the Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit NSW (FFMPU) to provide free and confidential counselling, information, and support to those affected by the disappearance of a loved one. They also organise support groups and events to bring families together and can liaise with law enforcement on their behalf.
The Missed Foundation is another organisation that provides emotional and practical assistance to families and friends of missing persons across Australia. They aim to humanise missing loved ones, alleviate the impact on their families, and change the way society responds to missing persons. The foundation provides a community of support and understanding, with many individuals expressing gratitude for the work of Loren, the founder of Missed, in raising awareness and providing a lifeline to those affected.
In addition to these national organisations, there are state-specific services, such as the Families and Friends of Missing Persons Service (FFMPS) in New South Wales (NSW), which provides free counselling, support groups, and information to people in NSW with missing loved ones. To be eligible for these services, the missing person must be reported to the police and accepted as a missing person's case.
There are also support groups and initiatives, such as the Missing Australia Network Working Group (MANWG), which aim to bring together families and friends of missing persons to combine community support and volunteer search efforts. These groups provide an opportunity for families to connect, share their experiences, and shape future initiatives to support others in similar situations.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, around 56,000 missing persons reports were made to the police in Australia, which equates to 153 reports per day. In 2022, 9,973 persons were reported missing in NSW alone.
There are many reasons why people go missing, including mental illness, miscommunication, misadventure, family conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, peer pressure, drug/alcohol abuse, and becoming a victim of crime.
There are three primary groups at risk of going missing: those suffering from a mental illness, young people (particularly females aged between 13 and 17), and the elderly. Other at-risk groups include those living with an intellectual or physical disability or without lifesaving medication.
To report someone missing, you must attend your local police station in person. You do not need to wait 24 hours before making a report, and there is no time limit or period to wait. You can also contact Crime Stoppers or the Consular Emergency Centre in Australia.
