FFMPU E-news
FFMPU enews is the newsletter of the Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit. To subscribe to the newsletter, please email ffmpu@agd.nsw.gov.au with SUBSCRIBE in the heading.
Previous editions of the FFMPU e-news bulletin can be accessed here
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
2009
SBS 'living Black'
Living Black recently profiled a family member of a missing person and the over representation of young Aboriginal women in missing persons statistics.
Click here to see the program
FFMPU hosted a Forum for families and Friends of Missing Persons at Parramatta on Saturday April 4 2009
Please click here to view the outcomes of the day
The forum was held to provide both practical and emotional support to families experiencing the ambiguous loss of a loved one. 200 invites were circulated by NSW Police Missing Persons Unit in March 2009 and 45 indiviudals responded.
Overall families shared with FFMPU that they felt empowered by their attendance and the majority provided their contact details to the unit to ensure they were kept up to date with issues within the missing persons sector.
The unit is now focussing on the 2010 forum to ensure that the event is useful and supportive for families. Whilst we would like to not have the need to hold the event we are hoping that as we learn more about supoort needs more and more families will attend in coming years.
If you have any additional questions about the forum please contact ffmpu@agd.nsw.gov.au
Christmas 2008
Acknowledging the Holiday Season for Families and Friends of Missing Persons
Christmas and the new year are often associated with friends and families coming together to celebrate. However, for most friends, partners and families of missing persons Christmas can be a particularly difficult time in dealing with uncertainty around the whereabouts of a loved one.
FFMPU have found that by listening to those left behind throughout the year and especially during the Holiday season, it is important to acknowledge the effects this loss can have on a person. Thoughts, events or objects can often remind you of the missing person and create an emotional and overwhelming reaction. Remember that you are not alone, why not try and talk to your partner, a friend or a counsellor, sharing of an experience might help to cope with the pain.
Remember to look after yourself, it is important to look after your own emotional and physical health, as this will keep you going. A few suggestions to help would be:
- Acknowledge your loved one at Christmas events. Some families have found that there is a lot of silence around talking about a missing person - say their name out aloud, its OK to say that you miss them.
- Go for a massage to relax
- Do some exercise – proven scientifically to make you feel more energised
- Listen to a favourite song, music or movie
- Cook a favourite meal with a friend, partner, family member
- Create a collage of the missing person and involve other family members or friends.
- Write a letter to the missing person - tell them about your year, tell them what its like while they're not here.
- Do an activity or attend an event that you haven’t done before
- Start a personal journal for your thoughts
- Do something that has always made you feel good
- Contact the FFMPU team for anything at anytime
- Get involved in some volunteer work in your local area
You shouldn’t feel guilty about making time for yourself, it’s for you, remember don’t rush and value yourself in what you are doing. FFMPU will be open over Christmas and New Year, if you wish to contact us toll free on 1800 227 772 or email ffmpu@agd.nsw.gov.au
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Christmas Message from Arncliffe Uniting Church"
Arncliffe Uniting Church congregation sends to Families and Friends of Missing Persons a message for this special time of year.
We pray that your Christmas will be a time to cherish the happy memories of those for whom you wait; that this season will be one where joy in the company of those who love you, and whom you love, will be found; that the courage which is increased by hope will be strengthened, and that peace will fill your hearts.
“There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope and its endurance.”
(1 Corinthians 13:7)
NB Arncliffe Uniting Church hosts two services of remembrance each year for those families who have, or have had, a family member missing. For more information contact the congregation chairperson, Ms Mable Mordue at mmordue1@optusnet.com.au
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
National Missing Persons Week 2008 runs this year from August 3-9. The week's primary purpose is to raise awareness about missing persons in the Australian community and a time to reflect on the experiences of those left behind.
This year the week has focused on young people as being a significant group at-risk of going missing. New research launched in March 2008 co-funded by the NSW Attorney General's Department and the Australian Federal Police estimated that of the 35,000 people who are reported missing each year, approximately 20,000 are under the age of 18.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Missing Persons in Australia AIC 2008
A report produced by the Australian Institute of Criminology and jointly funded by the FFMPU and Australian Federal Police, National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, to examine the population profile of people missing in Australia. This report updates existing data on missing persons across Australia in 2005-06 to identify at-risk groups. The report can be viewed online at www.missingpersons.gov.au
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reconnect Advertising Campaign - Project Summary 2007. (PDF 169KB) A project coordinated by Link-Up (NSW)
Aboriginal Corporation and funded by Families and Friends of Missing Persons Support Fund 2006/08,
Attorney General’s Department of NSW.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
