Missing People’s Missing Rights campaign is calling on the Government to improve the support available to families of missing people.

More than 250,000 people go missing in the UK each year. Whilst most of us will have read or heard about a disappearance, little is understood about the emotional, legal and financial burdens it can bring to those closest to the missing person. Families left behind can face their homes being seized, jobs being lost, divorce, social stigma and suicidal thoughts. 

“When my husband first went missing there was the huge impact of suddenly going from being a couple and having two wages to suddenly overnight becoming a single mum who could only work part time, with a mortgage and bills to pay. There was this traumatic thing going on that my husband was missing, and that in itself was traumatic enough, but there was still the everyday living to do as well.”

- Wife of missing man

Yet as it stands, if your house is burgled you are automatically offered emotional, practical, and legal support. If your child goes missing you may get nothing.

We believe this must change. Families in these desperate circumstances must be given access to the full range of support they need to help cope with their situation. The Missing Rights campaign therefore aims for:

• Families of missing people to know everything possible is being done to find their missing loved one.
• Families affected by a disappearance to have access to support.
• Families left behind to be spared the pain of unnecessary financial and legal bureaucracy.

We are looking to make these aims become reality through seven specific policy and services objectives, and will work with the Government, financial sector and the police, amongst other institutions to see these changes happen. You can read about these objectives here.

To find out how you can get involved in the Missing Rights campaign, or to show your support to families missing a loved one, click on Get Involved.