The Independent has joined forces with the charity Missing People to launch a vital new campaign, SafeCall, aimed at providing a lifeline for the thousands of vulnerable young people who disappear in the UK every year.
A Hidden Crisis of Missing Young People
Every two and a half minutes, a child is reported missing in the UK, creating a hidden crisis that affects hundreds of thousands. Shockingly, teenagers aged 12 to 17 account for 61 per cent of all missing incidents recorded by police. Many of these young people feel invisible and isolated, facing risks of harm, exploitation, and homelessness with no dedicated service to meet their specific needs.
Behind these statistics are families living in constant fear. Nerissa Tivy, whose son Alexander Sloley vanished in 2008 when he was 16, described the unending pain: "It weighs heavily. It's not something that ever leaves. It's there all the time." Every year, more than 430,000 people are affected by the disappearance of a child, and tragically, one missing child dies every week on average.
How SafeCall Will Be a Lifeline
Co-designed and piloted by young people themselves, SafeCall is a new, free service that will offer the support, safety, and connection missing children desperately need. The service will ensure young people can reach out in the way that feels safest to them, with anonymity guaranteed and tailored support available 24/7.
The initiative will expand Missing People's reach through a multi-channel approach, including:
- A dedicated helpline
- A WhatsApp channel
- A 24-hour chatbot
- A redesigned website with advice written for young people
The Independent's goal is to raise £165,000 to help fund this crucial service, aiming to reach the 70,000 children reported missing annually. Currently, the charity reaches only one in four of these children.
Voices of Support and Lived Experience
The campaign has garnered support from influential figures, including Sir Stephen Fry and Dame Esther Rantzen, the founder of Childline. Dame Esther emphasised the service's importance, stating, "So many young people who suffer exploitation don't feel they can ask for help... This new service means at last there is a way to enable them to seek help with confidence and hope."
Jade Knight, 23, who went missing more than 50 times as a child, credits Missing People with having "saved my life." She explained, "There were a lot of times when speaking to the Missing People charity actually helped me go back. They would make me feel safe enough." Now an ambassador for the charity, she believes SafeCall will be life-changing. "This is a problem that we need to resolve now," she urged, "because every time these children go missing... they are at just as much risk every single time."
Launching and running SafeCall for a year is expected to cost £625,000. The public can support the cause; a donation of just £10 can help a missing child find somewhere safe to go, while £100 can fund an entire helpline shift.
Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: "Children facing harm or exploitation often feel invisible. SafeCall will be shaped by their voices – offering a safe, confidential space where they're heard, supported and protected."
