National Missing Persons Week 2007

I know the following is specific to Australia but I believe it is worthy of wider distribution - as well as being relevant to the issue so many of us have on our minds. Below are press releases sent to me by the NSW Police Media Unit. As I am registered with the unit, I am authorised to publish such releases in full and without alteration (hence the caps!).

FACT SHEET - National Missing Persons Week 2007
5 August 2007
How do you find someone when they struggle to find themselves? (Sunday 5 August – Saturday 11 August) 5 August 2007

STATISTICS
• In the past year over 10,000 people have been reported missing in New South Wales. (30,000 nationally).
• 23% of those reported missing were considered to be related to some form of mental illness or disorder.
• Nearly half of those reported missing are 16 years and under. • Nearly 10% of persons reported are aged over 60.
• Males and females go missing in equal numbers. • Over 99% of missing persons are located: 70% within three days, 86% within two weeks.
• The most common missing persons are girls aged 13 to 15.
• Research indicates that for each person reported missing there are 12 people directly affected by their disappearance.
• Police are keen to raise community awareness of missing persons in an effort to reduce the numbers of persons who put themselves at risk by going missing.

MISSING PERSONS AND MENTAL HEALTH
Missing Persons Week 2007 seeks to inform the public of the link between mental health and missing persons. In NSW, mentally ill or disordered persons make a sizeable proportion of those that go missing each year. For people with poor mental health there are many triggers that can lead to them going missing such as feeling depressed and unable to cope with daily life and uncertainty about who or how to ask for help, or even a sense that there are no alternatives but to go missing.

NSW POLICE MISSING PERSONS UNIT
The origins of the Missing Persons Unit can be traced to the creation of the ‘Missing Friends Bureau’ in the 1930s. From that time until 1949, missing persons cases were investigated by two police officers attached to Police Headquarters.

The Missing Persons Unit now operates from Police Headquarters at Parramatta. The Missing Persons Unit plays a vital role supporting operational police across the State to investigate reports of missing persons. The unit also helps with the investigation of those NSW people reported missing interstate and overseas.

WHO IS A MISSING PERSON?
A missing person is anyone reported missing to police, whose whereabouts are unknown and fears are held for that person’s welfare and safety. People go missing for a number of reasons:

• Young people running away due to a family communication breakdown;
• Medical or psychological conditions, such as dementia, Alzheimers and depression;
• Escaping financial or social circumstances; • Foul play (abduction, kidnapping, murder);
• Drug and alcohol dependency. Most missing persons disappear voluntarily.

It is not a crime to go missing so police are urging people to make contact with their friends or family to let them know they are safe and well.

HELP
The Families & Friends of Missing Persons Unit, Attorney General’s Dept of NSW: Offers a free and confidential counselling and support service. Please ring (02) 9374 3023. SANE Australia: An information, advice and referral service for anyone concerned about a mental health-related issue. Phone: 1800 18 SANE (7263). Schizophrenic Fellowship: The Schizophrenia Fellowship is committed to improving the circumstances and welfare of people living with schizophrenia, their relatives and carers, and professionals working in the area. Phone the info line on 9879 2600.

NRL tackles National Missing Persons Week
5 August 2007
Once again the National Rugby League (NRL) has thrown its support behind National Missing Persons Week, featuring photos of missing people on big screens at matches throughout the State. The photos, as well as descriptions and a 24-hour freecall number, will be flashed up on big screens at four Rugby League games being played in NSW during this and next weekend.

NSW Police Force Missing Persons Unit spokesperson, Inspector Mark McCallum, believes that showing the faces of missing persons at NRL games is a great way to build community awareness of Missing Persons Week.

“Not knowing the whereabouts of a loved one can be devastating for the family and friends of missing persons,” Inspector McCallum said. “We welcome the support of the NRL in showing photographs of these people, many of whom have been missing for some years.

“We would urge anyone who recognises the faces of any of the people shown and has information relating to their whereabouts to contact the 24-hour Missing Persons hotline on 1800 025 091,” Inspector McCallum said. “It’s the fourth year of this initiative and, over that time, the NRL support has made a great impact in building awareness of the annual Missing Persons Week.”

NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said this was the sort of project where clubs wouldn’t hesitate in offering their support. “We’ve got a great ability to reach a large and diverse audience at our games so hopefully we might provide a few leads that help in resolving some of these cases,” Mr Gallop said.

Images of six missing persons will be shown at the Roosters versus Warriors game to be played today at Sydney football stadium from 2pm. The missing people to be featured are:

Phillippe Fortin: Missing since 21/08/02
James West: Missing since 27/08/06
Daniel Commins: Missing since 12/04/07
Elaine Morgan: Missing since 17/04/07
Ian Stanton: Missing since 09/05/03
Donna Blake: Missing since 21/07/06

National Missing Persons Week 2007 begins today and will officially conclude on Saturday 11 August. EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos of the missing persons are available via email by contacting the Police Media Unit on 8263 6100. For more information regarding the missing persons listed please forward any requests to Bridie O’Sullivan on 0401 719 485.