| When your son or daughter decides to spend a year | | | | calling home is always an option. |
| backpacking around Australia, how will you handle it? | | | | 3. Note specific locations at check-ins. Where is your |
| Whether you object to his or her decision or applaud | | | | child staying, who are they with, and where are they |
| your child's independent spirit, as a parent you will | | | | working? Also note any plans they may have to move |
| probably have some concerns. | | | | on in the future and what their next destination is. |
| Australia has an extensive backpacking industry | | | | 4. Have a recent photograph and copies of |
| designed to support and assist travelers exploring the | | | | identification on hand for your son or daughter. This |
| country by foot. Hostels, transportation systems, and | | | | includes passport information or whatever other |
| work-for-hire programs are all readily available. With a | | | | documentation they may be carrying. |
| little planning your backpacking son or daughter could | | | | 5. Be involved with their plan. Help your son or |
| enjoy the experience they're dreaming of. | | | | daughter plan their backpacking route and chart their |
| But things can go wrong during backpacking | | | | progress on a map as they check in every few days. |
| adventures. How will you handle the worst case | | | | Plan Ahead for Swift Action |
| scenario? What can be done to prevent backpackers | | | | Should the worst happen and your child fails to check |
| from becoming missing persons Australia statistics? | | | | in as regularly scheduled, report it immediately to the |
| Responsible parents will have a plan in place to both | | | | local police in their last known location. If you are |
| minimize the risk and take swift action should the | | | | concerned for your child's health or well-being, file a |
| unthinkable occur. Preparation won't alleviate the pain | | | | missing person's report. Be sure to provide the police |
| and suffering parents endure when they realize their | | | | with all of the information you have about your son or |
| child has gone missing. It may not protect the missing | | | | daughter's last known whereabouts, destinations and |
| from injury, harm or even death. But it can help | | | | travel companions. |
| minimize the time it takes to find a missing backpacker | | | | If you have probable reason to suspect your child has |
| and make a world of difference to everyone involved. | | | | suffered an injury in the wilderness or countryside dial |
| Increase the odds of success for law enforcement | | | | 000 for Emergency Services assistance. |
| agencies and professional missing persons Australia | | | | Missing persons Australia police investigations may |
| search efforts with the following tips and advice: | | | | yield results, but be prepared with a back-up plan to |
| 1. Plan regularly scheduled check-ins. Missing people in | | | | take action swiftly. You will need to contact the local |
| Australia can't be found unless someone knows | | | | media in the area where your child was last seen and |
| they're missing. Aim for check-ins with your son or | | | | in any surrounding areas. Plan to hire an expert missing |
| daughter at least every 3-5 days. Don't forget to set a | | | | persons Australian people finder for your best chance |
| reasonable date for the next check-in on every call. | | | | at a successful location. |
| 2. Keep the backpacker in contact. Make check-ins | | | | Planning ahead may not prevent your backpacking son |
| and emergency contacts with you easier for your son | | | | or daughter from disappearing. But it can increase the |
| or daughter. Provide your child with a phone, calling | | | | odds they will be found quickly and safely returned |
| cards or both that you can charge from home for | | | | home. |
| them. Keep an adequate balance on their account so | | | | |