1.1. How Many People Go Missing?
It is hard to believe that in a well-developed and populated country
like Australia about 30,000 people go missing every year . Among them,
about 7,500 go missing in New South Wales alone. In fact, in Australia
the rate of missing persons is as high, or higher, than that of road
traffic accident deaths, non-fatal road traffic accidents requiring hospitalisation,
and suicide.
While the high number of missing persons is significant it is equally
disturbing to learn that for every missing person about 12 people are
affected. This includes family members, friends, work colleagues, and
community members. “Therefore, in any one-year in Australia,
360,000 people feel the effect of the missing persons phenomenon” .
This large number means that having a loved one who is missing affects
people from all walks of life – regardless of their age, gender,
sexuality, ethnicity, race, and educational or professional qualifications
.
The good news however, is that most missing persons are found. In fact,
about 99.5% are located, often within a month from the time of disappearance
. Typically, the missing person is found because they return home or
contact family members and friends.
Yet, this good news rarely compensates for the devastating effects on
the family members and friends of missing persons. Although they come
from varied backgrounds these individuals share some similar experiences.
With news that a loved one is missing they often experience sadness,
grief, stress, and worry; and these experiences can continue for extended
periods.
Understandably, many want to know the whereabouts of their loved one
and what led to their disappearance. There are no clear answers to these
questions. However, it may help to look at the work of researchers who
have explored the area. Although there is little research available,
the work of Henderson and Henderson is worth looking at for these authors
conducted a study on missing persons in Australia.
1.2. The ‘Missing’ Population in Australia
Henderson and Henderson paint a useful picture of missing persons.
Their research suggests that men and women are reported missing almost
equally. However, children and young people are reported missing more
often than adults are.
An examination of other characteristics suggests that missing persons
come from very different backgrounds (see Appendix One for further details).
However, among those included in the National Missing Persons Unit:
- Most were born in Australia (86%)
- A number of them lived in a city or its suburbs (78%)
- Many were single (87%)
- A majority lived in their parents’ home (66%)
- A large proportion was comprised of students (60%)
It is interesting that over one third of the missing persons in this
study had gone missing before (34%).
Henderson and Henderson also suggest that the circumstances surrounding
each disappearance are as varied as the population who actually go missing
(see Appendix Two for further details). Despite this variety, the study
suggests that most missing persons were last seen in their own home during
the morning of a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Family members and friends of missing persons often want to know why
their loved one has disappeared. There seems to be wide variety in the
reasons believed by family members and friends, as well as the reasons
offered by missing persons themselves (see Appendix Three for further
details).
Despite this diversity, the disappearance of a loved may be either voluntary
or involuntary. That is, the individual either chose to go missing, or
did not choose to go missing. It can be difficult to understand why someone
might choose to go missing, particularly in light of the heartache and
anguish it can cause family members and friends. Yet, it is important
to remember that choosing to go missing is not a crime. Often there are
valid reasons surrounding the voluntary disappearance of an individual,
even though we may not always agree with them.
The National Missing Person’s Unit found that most of the missing
persons in their study went missing because of “conflict about
authority, rules, or independent behaviour”. Interestingly,
before these missing persons were found many of their family members
and friends suspected that they had gone missing because of this very
reason.
Most missing persons are located within a relatively short period. However,
the disappearance of the missing person can be quite traumatic on their
family members and friends – no matter how brief their absence.
The effects on family members and friends are numerous and quite varied:
“Regardless of the characteristics of the missing person or
the circumstances under which the person goes missing, there are impacts
on families and friends, including health consequences, direct financial
costs incurred, days lost from work or business, impacts on relationships
and on routine activities and quality of life” .
