Peter Lawrence, father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, spoke at an All Party Parliamentary Group on Runaway and Missing Children and Adults about what could be done to help families of missing people.

Attended by Parliamentarians and representatives of the police, banking and legal sectors, the meeting explored the issues raised in Missing People’s recently-launched Missing Rights campaign regarding the practical and legal problems families can face after a disappearance. 

Martin Houghton-Brown, Chief Executive of Missing People, said “If your house is burgled you are automatically offered emotional, practical and legal support. If your child goes missing you may get nothing.

“From dealing with finances, insurance policies, bank accounts and mortgages through to having a missing person declared presumed dead, families left behind often struggle to deal with institutions that have no system for their clients going missing.”

The charity’s Missing Rights campaign is asking these institutions to introduce measures that will appreciate the unique circumstances families of missing people face. It is also calling on the Government to acknowledge the need that these families have to specialist support by giving them the same rights as victims of crime.

Attendees concluded that a Parliamentary inquiry would be the best avenue through which to explore the issues faced by families of missing people and identify potential solutions. This will be lead by the APPG for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults, and sessions will focus on the various topics discussed in today’s meeting. It is likely that this will include banking and insurance matters, and the potential of allowing families to apply for legal guardianship of a missing relative's practical affairs.

To send a message of support to all families of missing people on our Wall of Reminders