Tasmanians will be asked to remember children missing across the globe on Thursday.
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International Missing Children’s Day is commemorated each year on May 25.
The initiative began in the United States in 1983 with the date marking the anniversary of when six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school in 1979.
More than three decades later and about 20,000 children are reported missing each year in Australia.
The Tasmania Police Missing Persons Unit is based out of Hobart and coordinates all cases across the state.
However, Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said parents concerned about a missing child could also take their own steps to help locate them.
“Everything we would do, they can do themselves first,” he said.
Suggestions include checking social media accounts, ringing friends and family members, driving to familiar or favourite locations and posting a status online to seek information from the public.
“Social media has proven to be a very powerful tool for us in locating missing persons,” Inspector Hopkins said.
“Within a matter of minutes you can share a message with thousands of people.
“When the child or person is found, you can then remove the post or thank the public for their assistance.”
Inspector Hopkins said there was also a perception that a missing persons report could not be filed until at least 24 hours had passed.
“You can file a report after five minutes and we will look into it, the seriousness is based on circumstance,” he said.
“One of the more common cases is teenagers who disappear for a few hours after having a fight with their parents.
“There are different circumstances that make a situation more serious- such as mental health.”
To report a missing child or person, contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or triple-0 in an emergency.
For more information visit www.police.tas.gov.au.