Damon Mcknight
In Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to the police, whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for their safety or concern for their welfare. The number of missing person reports in Australia has been increasing, with 150 people reported missing every day, amounting to 50,000 reports annually. While the majority of missing persons are found within 48 hours or two weeks, there are still hundreds of people who remain missing each year. The reasons for disappearances vary widely and are often complex, ranging from unintentional disappearances due to misadventure or being a victim of crime, to intentional disappearances due to mental health issues, personal crises, or escaping dangerous situations. The lack of international data and a community-based approach to addressing missing persons make it challenging to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of missing person reports received by police each year | 50,000 |
| Number of missing person reports related to young people aged 13-17 years | 54% of 56,000 |
| Increase in rate of reports in the past decade | 30% |
| Percentage of missing persons who return within two weeks | 97% |
| Number of people classified as long-term missing | 2,500 |
| Percentage of missing persons found within days of the report being made | 98% |
| Percentage of missing persons found within a short period of time | 50% |
| Percentage of missing persons found by police | 50% |
| Percentage of missing persons who go missing more than once | 33% |
| Percentage of missing persons reports related to young people aged 13-17 years | 50% |
| Percentage of missing persons with mental health issues | 50% |
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What You'll Learn
People escaping family and domestic violence
Domestic and family violence is disturbingly common in Australia, and it is one of the main drivers of homelessness among women, children, and men. The Salvation Army Australia notes that experiencing family violence can be frightening and isolating. The Australian government provides services to assist people experiencing family or domestic violence, including support through the social security system, as well as housing, health, education, and legal assistance services.
The Salvation Army Australia provides a wide range of services, including refuges, children's and parenting services, counselling, support, men's programs, accommodation, and advice to women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. The Salvation Army is committed to providing inclusive domestic violence support and services to people of all genders, ages, people living with disabilities, and those from LGBTIQ+ and CALD communities.
In addition to the Salvation Army, there are other support services available in Australia for people escaping family and domestic violence. The National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line can be reached at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for 24/7 domestic violence counselling. If your life is in danger, call 000.
It is important to recognize and respond to distress before people feel the need to disappear, and to adequately fund mental health and trauma services.
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Mental health and distress
Mental health issues and distress are significant factors in many missing persons cases in Australia. People with complex mental health conditions or those at risk of suicide may disappear to cope with psychological distress, and it may not feel like a choice.
In a Canadian study, researchers found that the majority of missing persons are dealing with mentally or emotionally distressing issues, and this is reflected in an Australian study as well. Indigenous people, primarily women, and those struggling with addictions, mental illness, or cognitive disabilities are at a higher risk of going missing.
In Australia, police receive 50,000 reports about missing people each year, a significant increase from the annual average of 38,000 between 2008 and 2015. While most missing people are found within a short period, there are about 2,500 people classified as long-term missing, leaving their families in a state of uncertainty.
The reasons people go missing are complex and varied. Viewing missing persons cases as simple search operations ignores the underlying issues that trigger disappearances, hindering the implementation of effective prevention strategies. To address this, there is a need for better recognition and response to distress, improved funding for mental health and trauma services, and more effective partnerships between police and social workers.
By addressing these issues, Australia can make significant strides in preventing disappearances and providing support for those at risk of going missing.
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Trauma
In Australia, approximately 50,000 missing persons reports are filed each year, with an estimated 20,000 children among them. This equates to about 150 people reported missing daily, indicating a growing issue in the country. Research reveals that trauma, alongside mental health issues, relationship breakdowns, and the need to escape dangerous situations, are underlying factors that lead people to disappear.
People may disappear to cope with psychological distress resulting from traumatic experiences. This decision may not feel like a choice but rather a necessity to escape unbearable circumstances. Those living with trauma, mental distress, and social isolation are more vulnerable to disappearing. Additionally, individuals with complex mental health conditions or those at risk of suicide may vanish as a means of coping with their emotional pain.
The impact of trauma on disappearances highlights the need for a holistic approach. Recognizing and responding to distress signals, improving mental health services, and providing adequate follow-up care for those who return are essential steps in preventing disappearances and supporting those affected.
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Substance abuse
The rise in amphetamine use in Australia is particularly concerning. In 2013-14, 2% of Australians had used amphetamines in the previous 12 months, but this number increased to 3.5% in 2016-17. By 2020, it was estimated that around 850,000 Australians had used amphetamines at some point in their lives. This rapid increase in amphetamine use has serious social impacts, including a rise in criminal activities such as property crime and drug dealing.
Opioid abuse is also on the rise in Australia, with an increasing number of people using opioids each year. In 2017-18, around 251,000 Australians aged 14 or older had used opioids in their lifetime, with roughly 79,000 using them in the previous year. Opioids are highly addictive and easily accessible, as many young people obtain them from friends or relatives.
The Australian government has recognized the severity of this issue and has implemented several public health programs to address substance abuse and addiction. These programs aim to help individuals quit their addictions, manage their substance use, and stay safe. Organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) also provide support for people struggling with alcohol and drug problems.
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Relationship breakdowns
In Australia, police receive 50,000 missing persons reports each year, with a 30% increase in the past decade. Of these, about 2,500-2,600 people are classified as long-term missing. Relationship breakdowns are a significant factor in these disappearances, often leading individuals to leave their homes and communities. Those experiencing relationship issues may choose to disappear as a way to cope with the distress and emotional turmoil caused by the breakdown.
For some, the decision to disappear is influenced by a need to escape dangerous situations, such as domestic or family violence. This is particularly true for women, who may suddenly leave their homes to seek emergency accommodation and protect themselves from abusive partners or family members.
In other cases, relationship breakdowns can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which may, in turn, trigger a person's disappearance. The stress and trauma associated with relationship issues can cause individuals to make impulsive decisions, such as leaving their homes without warning.
To address this issue, there have been calls for improved mental health services and trauma support to help individuals cope with relationship breakdowns and other distressing situations. By providing individuals with the necessary tools and resources to manage their emotional well-being, the number of disappearance cases may be reduced.
Additionally, it is important to recognize the long-term impact of ambiguous loss on the families of the missing. Even after many years, families of the missing may struggle with uncertainty, unable to grieve or move forward.
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Frequently asked questions
A missing person in Australia is anyone who has been reported missing to the police and whose whereabouts are unknown, with concerns for their safety and welfare. There is no need to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing.
The reasons behind disappearances vary widely and are often complex. Common triggers include violence within the home, mental illness, personal and financial crises, relationship breakdowns, and the need to escape dangerous situations.
Indigenous people, primarily women, are more likely to go missing. Other at-risk groups include young people in care, adults, children in out-of-home care, the elderly with cognitive impairments, and those living with disabilities or without lifesaving medication.
Recognising and responding to distress, adequately funding mental health and trauma services, and viewing missing persons as a public health issue are crucial. Additionally, collaboration between police and social workers is essential for providing comprehensive care.
