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Every year, thousands of vulnerable young people are fighting to be seen, heard and protected. They feel invisible – at risk of harm, exploitation and homelessness.
Behind each disappearance the families and loved ones are living with fear and uncertainty, with half a million people searching and hoping for news in a hidden crisis that demands immediate attention.
Every two and a half minutes a child is reported missing in Britain. Teenagers are the most likely to go missing, with those aged 12 to 17 accounting for 61 percent of all incidents recorded by police. Many say there are still no services designed to meet their needs, leaving them isolated at the very time they need help most.
That’s why Independent is teaming up with Missing People, the UK’s only charity dedicated to reuniting missing people with their loved ones, to launch a new service that will be a lifeline for children in crisis. Co-designed and run by the youth themselves, SafeCall will provide the support, security and connection they need.
The Independent’s The aim is to help raise £165,000 for this new, free service, so that the 70,000 children reported missing each year can get to safety, no matter what. The charity currently reaches one in four of those children – and, with your support, SafeCall will reach many more.
donate Here Or text SAFE to 70577 to give missing people £10 – enough to get one child support.
Actor, author and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of Childline, are among the leading voices supporting IndependentAppealing to and urging readers to support the issue.
Those who know its value firsthand include Jade Knight, now 23, who went missing more than 50 times as a child after, in her own words, “feeling lost in the world.” She credits Missing People with “saving my life”.
“There were times when talking to the Missing People charity really helped me get back,” he said. “They made me feel very safe and gave me the space to talk about what I needed to talk about.”
He believes SafeCall will change lives for young people who need help. “This is a problem we need to solve now, because every time these children go missing, it doesn’t matter if it’s the first or the fiftieth – they are at just as much risk every time.”
SafeCall will ensure that missing children can be reached in ways that feel safest to them, with anonymity guaranteed and tailored support available at any time. The new service will expand the reach of missing people through a dedicated helpline, a WhatsApp channel, a 24-hour chatbot and a redesigned website offering advice written for young people.
SafeCall is expected to cost £625,000 to launch and run for a year. Just £10 can help find a missing child somewhere safe; £30 can provide overnight advice and guidance; And £100 can fund a helpline shift, ensuring trained staff are there whenever a young person needs to make contact.
Ms Knight now works as an ambassador for Missing People and is determined to help prevent others from doing the same thing as her.
In a direct message to young people she said: “For anyone who feels like they want to disappear, please know that there is support out there for you. Just because you feel that way now doesn’t mean you’ll always feel that way. Things can change, and you have that power.
“And who knows, in six months’ time you could be where I am – telling your story of hope and helping those who haven’t yet found their way.”
This campaign is not just about launching a new service, but also about raising awareness – sparking debate and pushing for change on an issue that is widespread yet remains de-prioritised.
Nerissa Tivy’s son, Alexander Sloly, disappeared in August 2008 when he was just 16 years old. Alex, who would now be 34, disappeared from a friend’s house in Islington, north London, without his wallet, spare clothes or money.
“It weighs a lot,” said Ms. Tivy. Independent“It’s not something that ever goes away. It’s there all the time. Every day is hard. There’s no special day. At one time, I was so stressed that I was in constant pain. I’ve learned that if you have stress, your body holds on to it.”
Around 900 people are reported missing in Britain every day, around 600 of whom are children. According to the latest data from the National Crime Agency, 160,000 people were reported missing in nearly 330,000 incidents during 2023-24. Of these, 72,000 were children who went missing in approximately 210,000 separate episodes, which shows how often young people go missing more than once.
More than 430,000 people are affected by missing a child each year and on average one missing child dies every week.
Dame Esther said: “Many young people who have been exploited do not feel they can seek help and be listened to, at a time when they are scared, alone and vulnerable. This new service means there is finally a way to enable them to seek help with confidence and hope. Missing people are a crisis – this is a vital moment to intervene and help young people on their terms.”
Sir Stephen, Patron of Missing People, said: “Together, we will raise vital funds to create and launch a cutting-edge service for our times. SafeCall will be designed by young people so that it is truly informed by their needs. Please join me in supporting this vital campaign.”
Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: “Children experiencing harm or exploitation often feel invisible. SafeCall will be shaped by their voices – providing a safe, confidential space where they will be heard, supported and protected. Based on over 30 years of experience, this new service is designed for young people with the challenges they face today. Together, we are building a legacy of care, protection and hope. Together, we are young people Will change lives.”
Geordie Greig, Editor in Chief IndependentSaid: “I’m so proud to launch this campaign with Missing People. With the help of our readers and supporters, we can make a real difference to tackling the crisis of missing children in this country.”
This year’s Christmas campaign Independent Thus The surprising success of 2024’s Brick by Brick partnership with RefugeWhich raised over £585,000, funding two new safe homes for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.
Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign, launched by The Independent and the charity Missing People, to help raise £165,000 to create a free service to help vulnerable children find new, safe futures.
For advice, support and options, if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call Missing People on 116000. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental. Or visit: missingpeople.org.uk/get-help