Main Content Jump to Footer

Open Door

'Lost from View' - Missing Persons Study launched

Wed, 4 September 2002

Thousands of people are reported missing each year, yet vey little is known about who they are, why they disappear and what happens to them

In March, the National Missing Persons Helpline hosted a launch of the findings from the ‘Lost from View’ project. The study, funded by a Nuffield Foundation Open Door Grant, was undertaken by Nina Biehal, Jim Wade and Fiona Mitchell of the Social Work Research and Deelopment Unit at University of York. Although thousands of people are reported missing each year, little is known about who they are, why they chose to go missing and what happens to them. Through analysis of the case files of the National Missing Persons Helpline, and a follow-up postal survey to ‘found’ persons, the researchers found that most people go missing intentionally due to a breakdown in their reltionship with partners or parents. Groups most likely to be reported missing are girls aged 13-17 and men aged 24-30. Among those found alive, only 20% return to their families or partners. Among those found dead, half had committed suicide and a third had died due to coming to harm or an accident.

The full report will be published in March 2003 by Policy Press. A summary of findings is available from the Social Research and Development Unit at the University of York (IRISS D Block, Heslington, York YO10 5DD; email: nb6@york.ac.uk).

Last Updated Wed, 7 April 2004