Mysterious Disappearance: What happens to missing people?

With the growing number of people in the province of Manitoba who go missing every year 'on purpose', how do we determine the root cause and solutions? What can we do to lessen the problem? Let's examine the recent statistics in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Some people have a history of 'going missing' for days,weeks and sometimes longer. Family members are often complacent saying something like,'he/she will turn up again, just like a bad penny,they always do'. Do they? If so,what happened to them while they were gone? How are they treated when they return? There are approximately 4,000 missing reports filed each year to the Winnipeg Police. Of these there are 80 to 120 people that go missing on any given day in Winnipeg. It usually takes 2-3 days for the vast majority of missing persons to reappear or be found. Considering that Winnipeg is a relatively small city those are staggering numbers! However, less than 1% of missing person cases go unsolved in Winnipeg. (from the files of the Winnipeg Police Service) {according to The Winnipeg Sun,November 9,2008} How much of this problem is really a police issue and how much of it is really a community/social issue? Nearly half the cases of missing persons in Manitoba are teens running away from home. Most teens do come back, but what happens to them while their gone? According to Bob Chrismas, Winnipeg Police Service's missing persons co-ordinator,"We're finding them continually and repeatedly in bad places".{according to The Winnipeg Sun,November 9,2008} Are they running away because of bad parenting,peer pressure or teenage rebellion? Why are they so unhappy? What is the history of their parents? Are one or both of their parents often 'missing' for a time? Nowadays teens have alot on their plate. They are often expected to be more mature and respectful than their parents. After all, their still kids living at home under their parents or guardians roof. They should do as their told. But, does that work? As parents/guardians we have a duty to guide children into adulthood and respect them as individuals. Sounds simple enough, so then why is it so hard? There are too many predators out there willing and able to take advantage of a troubled person. We tell our young children not to talk to strangers but do we continue with that advice when they reach their teens? As adults do we continue to use caution or do we become complacent ourselves? With modern technology at our fingertips, it can be both a helpful tool or a hazard to some. Curiosity can often lead to dangerous consequences. Although we need to respect a person's privacy and space,if they seem to be involved in something that could bring potential harm to them we not only have a right to talk to them about it but also have a duty to for their protection. With chat lines, Facebook and numerous other ways to connect with people now, we still must use precautionary measures when it comes to people we don't know. Get involved and stay involved. It's tough keeping up with the potential risks. There is no age restriction on a dangerous lifestyle. When kids are old enough their often given the impression that it's uncool to be 'caught dead' with a parent. Parents need to understand and respect when their teen is growing up. Start giving them more space but be very aware of current trends in today's society. Bullying and violent video games are just a couple of new tactics to try criminalize your teen. Then one day you could wake up and wonder what happened to your sweet son or daughter. It's a constant battle to try to keep them on even keel. It's been said that it 'takes a village to raise a child'. It can also take a village to 'destroy a child'.