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
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21177327 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alicia Mewett (RMIT University), Stuart Thomas (0000-0001-9471-9726, RMIT University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 193-206 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Police Practice and Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1561-4263 • E-ISSN: 1477-271X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/15614263.2024.2411712 |
| OpenAlex | W4403315787 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 37 |
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
Developmental psychology · Missing data · Statistics · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Homelessness and Social Issues · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Psychology
Promoting the participation of children and young people in care
Building Police—Youth Relationships
Further evidence on the extent and time course of repeat missing incidents involving children
Examining the Connection Between Missing Persons and Victimization
Return home interviews with children who have been missing
A mixed methods study of the mental health and criminal justice histories of missing persons
Indigenous Peoples’ Help-Seeking Behaviors for Family Violence
Recidivism at a shelter for adolescents
A 10 year follow-up study of young people reported missing to the police for the first time in 2005
You've got to trust her and she's got to trust you’
Repeat or chronic
Missing children
Too risky yet not risky enough
Repeat missing child reports
Missing persons and social exclusion
Going Missing' as a Maladaptive Coping Behavior for Adults Experiencing Strain
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |