Geographies of Missing People is a report by The University of Glasgow that draws on 45 in-depth interviews with people reported as missing and who have returned. The report is structured around a series of questions that people often ask as they experience being missing or absent. Dundee University and Police Scotland also helped with the project.
The detailed report offers honest stories as well as in depth analysis of why/what people experience and the effects of running away. It is a genuine source legitimised by the fact it was created by Universities, genuine cases and the police force. This offers a great source to back up my solution.
A section of the report focuses on recommendations that can be put in place to prevent and raise awareness for people running away. It is titled 'Provision, Prevention, Protection':
Avoid causing further stress and discomfort
Missing People are often anxious of getting into contact with authorities because they think they are in trouble with the law. However going missing is not illegal therefor the campaign should raise awareness that missing people are not criminals.
Having people look for you causes anger, frustration and worry
Researched into cases where missing people have returned in order to highlight ways in which I can encourage people to get in contact:
- Being looked for
- Thoughts of home
- Unsure what they're doing is right or wrong
- Reconnection with regular routines - Jobs
'Dont want to go home, dont want to see anyone, dont want to stay here' - Quote from a missing person who returned. This shows the emotional stress.
Runaways often feel their family is better off without them.
Friends play a key role in getting people back in touch with there family
The report aims to define 'going missing':
- UK social worker Malcolm Payne (1995) is available: ‘A social situation in which a person is absent from their accustomed network of social and personal relationships to the extent that people within that network define the absence as interfering with the performance by that person of expected social responsibilities, leading to a situation in which members of the network feel obliged to search for the missing person and may institute official procedures to identify the person as missing’ (Payne 1995: 335).
- Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO): ‘Anyone whose whereabouts is unknown whatever the circumstances of disappearance. They will be considered missing until located and their wellbeing or otherwise established’ (ACPO 2005: 8). This definition acknowledges that people go missing in a range of circumstances, but also that they will continue to be considered missing until located in time and place.
According to the report, people who run away dont always consider themselves as a 'missing person'. The perceived stigma as to what it means to be labelled a missing person prevents adults from talking about their experience and returning home.
This is a really beneficial source as their recommendations are backed up by extensive research and observations. I can use these to inform the range and distribution of the campaign and identify a concept.
- Point 11 states: 'Initiatives around missing issues should be designed to raise public awareness and develop a platform for talk on missing issues. Cultures of talk need to replace the current stigmatising silence that exists around missing experience.'
CONCEPT
In order achieve this I aim to:
- Create an informed and professional visual identity that can be transferred over a range of products and distribution methods.
- Limit the long lasting effect that going miss can have on those involved.
- Source appropriate and legitimate facts and figures in order to legitimise the campaign.
- Identify an organisation/charity for people to contact for support.
Target Audience:
- Potential runaways
- Family and friends being effected
- General public
Distribution
- Target Hospitals in order to raise awareness of the important issue and inform doctors and nurses to become more attuned to the warning signs and recognise who may be at risk.
- Public locations - Supermarket, parks, etc - These are locations people on the run are likely to visit to gain supplies
- Major transport hubs - Train station, airport, bus station - Locations where people wanting to run away are likely to visit.
- Must not be patronising or cause more stress
- Must be anonymous as this is a sensitive subject. The campaign should encourage people to talk about their issues and problems and confidentiality supports this.
- Must be confidential
- Must be sensitive
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