A new National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland is being launched in Glasgow today. The framework has been developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with Police Scotland, statutory agencies and the voluntary sector including Missing People.
Missing People is delighted to see this new framework launched. We are pleased to see the plan not only focussing on people who are missing, but on the whole cycle of missing, from prevention to support when a missing person returns.
Scotland is leading the way in ensuring an appropriate response, including providing support, to both missing adults and children. An estimated 80% of adults who go missing have mental health issues so it is vital that they are considered vulnerable and provided with an opportunity to get any help they may need.
We were also pleased to see the inclusion of support for families of missing people within the framework as we know this group is often overlooked in terms of support, despite them often facing emotional and practical trauma.
After the positive step of today's launch, the next big challenge will be ensuring the framework, which is not a statutory requirement, is implemented across Scotland. There is great work already underway in many areas of the coutnry and we hope that the recommendations included in the framework will be acted upon to further improve provisions for every missing person and their families. We look forward to working with partners in the Scottish government, Police Scotland, local authorities and the voluntary sector to make sure that this happens.