You may hear some strange or unfamiliar words when your brother or sister is missing. Don’t be afraid to ask a trusted adult or older sibling what these words mean. You can also look them up online—just be careful to use trusted dictionary sites rather than random articles that come up when you search on a word or term. Talk to your family advocate, a law enforcement officer, or school counselor if you’re still not clear.
Here are some of the words you may want help with.
Abduction. To carry a person off by force; to kidnap; to lure away.
Abnormal. Unusual or unexpected, something that is not normal.
Accustomed. Something that is familiar, something that you are used to.
Advocate. Someone who supports or stands up for another person or cause.
Affirming. Providing emotional support or encouragement.
Antagonistic. Showing or feeling opposition or hostility toward someone or something.
Anxiety. A feeling of worry or uneasiness.
Arduous. Something that is difficult and tiring.
Capitalize. To benefit from or to get the most out of.
Confidential. Something that is secret or private.
Depression. The state of being sad; people suffering from depression may feel sad, have no energy, and feel as if they have no value.
Designated Liaison. Someone your family chooses to be the spokesperson when talking to a specific person in the media, law enforcement, or other agency/group.
Disassociation. Being disconnected or separated from something or someone.
Eliminate. To get rid of, to remove.
Empathetic. To be concerned, compassionate, or understanding.
Exploit/exploited. Used unfairly; taken advantage of.
Inappropriate. Not suitable or fitting; an incorrect action.
Intimidated/intimidating. Frightening or threatening.
Invasive. Tending to intrude, as in invading privacy.
Journal. A diary you keep to write down your thoughts, feelings, and what happened that day.
Judicial Process. The procedures and actions undertaken by and in the court.
Law Enforcement. The people who make sure the law is followed. For example, the police, detectives, sheriffs, and the FBI.
Leery. To be cautious of something or someone.
Linear Process. Going from one stage to another in an orderly series of steps.
Lured. To tempt someone to do something or go somewhere.
Media. A form of communication, information, or entertainment. For example, television, radio, newspapers, news websites, and social media.
Normal/normalcy. Regular or usual.
Obsessively. To be overly preoccupied, something you can’t stop thinking about or doing.
Perpetrator. The person who commits the abduction, the person who is guilty.
Polygraph. A lie detection instrument used by law enforcement to see if someone is telling the truth.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/PTSD. A mental and behavioral disorder that occurs from experiencing a traumatic event.
Retrogrades. To revert back.
Sensationalized. To present in a way that is shocking or exciting.
Sibling. A brother or sister.
Suspect. A person the police think may have committed the crime.
Thrive. To flourish, succeed, blossom.
Traumatic. Emotionally disturbing or distressing.
Vulnerable. Exposed or open to being easily hurt; you can be physically vulnerable or emotionally vulnerable.