Missing children, adolescents and young adults: the relationship between age first missing, subsequent missing person reports and other police-related contacts over a 10-year period
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: It is well documented that children and young people are disproportionately represented in missing person reports, frequently as repeat cases. However, inconsistent definitions around age groupings have compromised our ability to compare across studies, or meaningfully synthesise the available evidence. This study sought to explore the relationship between age at first missing and police contacts in a sample of 2,125 Australian children (0–12 years), adolescents (13–17 years), and young adults (18–25 years) who went missing for the first time in 2005. Individuals were followed-up over a 10-year period using police records. A comparison of justice involvement across the three age groups revealed key differences in missing person episodes and other justice-related involvement. Collectively, the findings offer further insights into the characteristics and justice trajectories of young people who go missing to help inform further evidence-based, risk assessment and related police responses.
Source: Police Practice and Research
Authors: Alicia Mewett, Stuart D. M. Thomas
Institution: RMIT University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4403315787