Create a file for important documents and reference numbers and keep it somewhere safe. This could be in a document on your computer, or a note pad by the phone.
The right kind of publicity depends on your person, and you know them best. Listen to your gut, and to others who know them. And, of course, speak to us if you’re not sure what to do.
It’s your right to understand what you are consenting to. It is okay to ask for things to be explained in a way that works for you; in writing, a phone call, different languages, via text or social media.
We know how important it is, to feel as though the world is helping you to find your loved one. Read our tips about how you can get more power behind your appeal.
Whatever things you decided on day one, these may not be right at day ten or beyond. It’s worth checking if there’s anything new you could try, or perhaps extend the networks you are using.
Request an appeal in order to launch publicity for a missing person. You’ll need to be a family member, friend, partner, colleague, housemate, or a professional in a caring role to apply.
If you have seen your own details on a missing person appeal, it is because there are people searching for you, and want to know that you are safe. Find out what you can do next.
Police and your family may have created appeals to help find you. Now that you’re back, you might find this intrusive or feel like it’s hard to move on. Find out what you can do to get this content removed.
Read more about our publicity opportunities that we may be able to offer you to help with the search.
Once someone has been found, it’s important to withdraw publicity as quickly as possible. Read our guidance on how to do this quickly and thoroughly.
Running your own social media pages or accounts to highlight that your loved one is missing can be a really effective way of getting people engaged, and give you space to tell your story. Read our tips on how to do this.
Sometimes people remain missing for longer than a few days or weeks. And it can feel as though your situation is no longer interesting to local news outlets or online groups. Follow our tips on how to keep people interested.
Using journalists and reporters to share your missing person’s appeal far and wide can be effective. Read our guidance on how to do this, and how to prepare for interviews.
If your person has been missing a number of years, find out how you could update the appeal with a new image to show what they might look like now.