National Missing Persons Week is from 30 July-5 August 2017.
National Missing Persons Week is an annual event to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons, and help reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia. The disappearance of Tony Jones in 1982 was the catalyst for the establishment of Missing Persons Week in Australia. The inaugural week took place with a memorial service in Townsville in 1988, where the Mayor of Townsville planted a tree in commemoration of Mr Jones.
National Missing Persons Week is now held every year in Australia in the first week of August. Along with a national media campaign, now led by the NMPCC in support of State and Territory police, events and memorial services are held across the country to highlight the plight of missing persons and their families and friends.
How can you help?
Missing persons is an issue for the whole community. Anyone regardless of age, gender or other factors may face the issue of a loved one becoming a missing person.
While police and SES play a central role in the location of missing persons, you can also contribute:
- if you think you may be a missing person, find a way to say you’re ok
- if you’re a friend of a missing person, seek ways to help them say they’re ok
- if you think you have information which may assist in locating a missing person, contact your nearest police station or report this information directly to Crime Stoppers so that it can be forwarded to the relevant police jurisdiction for investigation as required
For professionals who may encounter families and friends of missing persons in the course of their work the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre has developed an Education package Supporting those who are left behind.
Source- https://www.missingpersons.gov.au/
If you have any information regarding a missing person, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.