A new website and podcast series have been launched to address the myths and misunderstandings around missing person issues. Missing Persons Uncovered seeks to empower the public by providing real-life testimonials and insights from practitioners in the field, equipping people to protect vulnerable loved ones more effectively.
Shedding Light on Missing Persons Statistics
Research conducted by the University of Portsmouth’s Professor Karen Shalev-Greene estimates that approximately eight million people go missing around the world each year, with 155,000 cases occurring annually in the UK alone. The reasons why people disappear are varied, complex, and personal, often rooted in broader social issues that impact individuals differently.
A missing person can be of any age and vulnerable for numerous reasons, including mental health issues, dementia, or even abduction. This broad range of possibilities presents a challenge to those trying to assess the risk and determine the best course of action for a loved one. The terminology itself can be daunting, which is why Missing Persons Uncovered aims to clarify these complexities.
Meet the Minds Behind the Project
Professor Karen Shalev-Greene, a leading figure in Missing Persons Studies, has teamed up with Caroline Humer, a U.S.-based child protection expert with over 20 years of experience in the field. Together, they have launched a podcast and a website to raise awareness and empower communities. The podcast starts with a double bill that defines what it means to be “missing,” delves into why people disappear and walks listeners through the reporting process.
Shalev-Greene has a personal connection to her work:
“My father was a fighter pilot in Israel and was captured during the Yom Kippur War. He was considered missing in action for a few days, and when he returned, he would occasionally disappear for several days. Years later, when I attended a conference on missing persons, I realized that this is what I’ll be focusing on for the rest of my working life.”
This deeply personal experience has shaped Shalev-Greene’s commitment to supporting those who go missing and those left behind.
Busting Myths About Missing Persons
The Missing Persons Uncovered podcast aims to debunk myths and challenge misconceptions about missing person cases, especially those often perpetuated by popular media. Caroline Humer points out one of the most prevalent myths:
“In many TV shows and movies, it is still portrayed that when reporting a missing person, one must wait 24 or 48 hours. This is a myth we need to debunk as it hinders the actual investigation and puts the missing person at greater risk.”
These misconceptions can delay critical action, increasing the risks vulnerable individuals face.
Voices from the Field
The podcast features conversations with world-leading academics and practitioners working to raise public awareness and help people understand what actions to take when a loved one goes missing. Interviewees range from former police heads to search and rescue volunteers and those working for charities supporting missing persons and their families.
Shalev-Greene and Humer hope that a mix of real-life testimonials and first-hand experiences from relatives of missing persons will help listeners recognize the warning signs and feel empowered to act. Their goal is to provide knowledge about the issue’s prevalence and equip people with tools to support their loved ones and the organizations dedicated to finding and protecting them.
“Our goal is to reach the general public and provide them with knowledge on how prevalent the issue is and what they can do to help support the missing person or the organizations involved in protecting and finding them,” said Humer.
How to Get Involved
To learn more about the Missing Persons Uncovered project, listen to the podcast, and find links to support resources, visit their website: missingpersonsuncovered.com.
You can follow the podcast on your favorite app or listen directly at podfollow.com/missingpersonsuncovered.
Share your thoughts: What misconceptions have you encountered about missing persons? Join the conversation in the comments below and help raise awareness.
