Consultation also took place with a wide range of government departments, non-government organisations, community groups and individuals with an interest in the missing persons field. It also found unprecedented evidence that the family and friends of missing people are affected significantly in terms of their health, work, quality of life, emotional state, relationships and finances. About 30,000 people are reported missing in Australia every year. For every missing persons case, at least 12 people are affected in some way. This could be at an emotional, health or employment level.
People often report someone missing for safety concerns.
This was rarely the explanation for why they went missing.