Family Advocacy Networks
Organisations founded and run by family members of missing persons to support families and victims of crime.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre supports the following Family Advocacy Networks, and commends their efforts in supporting the friends and families of missing persons who are left behind.
Education, awareness, and support are all crucial in the missing persons sector, and it’s only by working together we can make a difference.
Daniel Morcombe Foundation
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was established by Bruce and Denise Morcombe in 2005 after their son Daniel was abducted and murdered in December 2003.
The Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to Daniel and now has two main aims; to educate children on how to stay safe in a physical and online environment and to support young victims of crime.
Leave a Light On
Leave a Light On was established by Suzie Ratcliffe following the disappearance of her sister Joanne Ratcliffe along with Kirste Gordon from the Adelaide Oval in 1973.
The aim of the charity is to raise awareness of missing persons cold cases in Australia by working alongside other missing persons organisations. The charity aims to promote long-term cases and raise awareness of the need for ongoing support for families and friends dealing with the ambiguous loss of a missing person.
Annually on 21 October, the charity asks the community, no matter where they live, to Leave A Light On in memory of the many missing persons across Australia. Be it a front porch light, an indoor light, or burn a candle in memory, join in to Leave A Light On and brighten their way home.
Missing Persons Advocacy Network
Missing Persons Advocacy Network (MPAN) was established in 2013 by Loren O’Keeffe, whose brother Dan went missing in July 2011.
MPAN creates awareness for missing persons and provides practical support to those left behind through their online guide of what to do when someone goes missing.
MPAN also seeks to establish corporate partnerships that not only increase visibility of the issue but also lessen the financial impact on those searching.
