Looking for an adult while respecting contact boundaries

Concern about an adult can be sincere while that adult also wants privacy. The purpose of a search should be to address a real safety concern, not to defeat a person's decision about relationships. If there is immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency service and explain the facts.

Define what you need to know

A confirmation that someone is safe may resolve the urgent concern without disclosing where they live or whom they are with. Avoid treating every unanswered message as permission to publish their personal history or seek private account access.

The ICRC Family Links service states that it respects a traced person's decision not to contact family. That is a useful example of separating tracing from forced reunion; it is not a description of every service's legal procedure.

Use appropriate intermediaries

Where needed, ask a responsible authority or suitable support organization how a safety concern can be addressed while respecting privacy. Do not impersonate an official, mislead a friend into revealing an address, or pressure a workplace to disclose private information.

• What specific evidence creates concern?
• Can safety be confirmed without revealing location?
• Who is appropriate to handle contact?
• What information should remain private?

Accept limits on the outcome

A reunion is not always the safe or wanted result. If contact is established, ask what may be shared and with whom. Do not publish a person's whereabouts as a reward to everyone who helped.

Wakif is intended to support missing-person reporting and search. It should not be used to pursue an adult who is safe and has chosen not to engage.

Sources

• ICRC Family Links: frequently asked questions ↗