Kate McCann will be among the mothers of missing children to give evidence at the inquiry The government is being urged to improve support for the “heartbroken” families of people who go missing.
The UK’s first parliamentary inquiry into the issue will look at what campaigners say is a “complete gap” in help for those affected.
Among those giving evidence later will be three mothers of missing children, including Kate McCann, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared abroad in 2007.
The inquiry will make recommendations to the coalition government.
As well as Mrs McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, the inquiry will hear from mothers Nicki Durbin and Sarah Godwin, whose son Quentin was 18 when he went missing in New Zealand while on his way to an after-school job in 1992.
Mrs McCann, whose daughter Madeleine was three went she went missing during a family holiday in Portugal, will say: “When someone you love goes missing, you are left with unimaginable, unending heartbreak, confusion, guilt, and worry.
“In addition to the reassurance that everything possible is being done to find their missing loved one, families need support. And they should be spared the additional pain of financial and legal bureaucracy.”
“When a child or vulnerable adult goes missing, the families left behind are absolutely devastated. Often the families feel isolated and alone”
Ann Coffey MP
MPs will also hear from Peter Davies, the chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop), and Home Office Minister James Brokenshire.
Peter Lawrence, father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, will give evidence later in the week.
The charity Missing People says that after 48 hours relatives should be given support similar to that given to the victims of serious crime.
This includes a dedicated police officer as well as emotional and practical advice.
The inquiry will also consider calls to make it easier to register the death of a missing person whose body has not been found.
This is in order to sort out their financial and legal affairs.
Courts can be asked to declare someone dead after seven years, although in England and Wales it is not statutory.
The inquiry will examine whether a new system is needed for the national database of unidentified bodies – currently totalling 1,000 – to match these details with information about missing people.
The inquiry, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Runaway and Missing Children and Adults, will be held over four sessions.
MP Ann Coffey, who chairs the group, said: “When a child or vulnerable adult goes missing, the families left behind are absolutely devastated. Often the families feel isolated and alone.
“This inquiry will examine what emotional, practical and legal support those families need to help them cope at such a traumatic time.”
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