Each year over 400,000 children under the age of 18 are reported missing [1A]. The vast majority of these are runaways, highly vulnerable to homelessness, sex trafficking, and worse.
Though estimates vary, there may be as many as 2.8 million runaway and homeless youth in the US [2A].
“Half of all runaway minors report that their parents told them to leave or knew they were running away and did not care [3].”
“Runaways” are minors who have left home with the intention not to return. The category includes children abandoned by the adults who should have cared for them, and teens thrown out of the house.
Risk Factors
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, risk factors include the following [1B]:
- Family conflict
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Pregnancy
- Bullying or social rejection
- Sexual orientation
- Online enticement
- Substance abuse
- Gang activity
- Mental health issues
- Developmental issues
Some 47% of runaways report family conflict; 43% report physical abuse in the home; 34% report sexual abuse in the home. Among girls, the rate of sexual abuse rises to 80%.
Runaway Needs
Housing is a critical need for runaways. Their options, however, are limited [2B]. Some may couch surf for awhile with friends. A few find space in shelters. Most squat in abandoned buildings or live on the streets, exposed to crime and violence.
Runaway and homeless youth need food, clothing, education, transportation, identification documents, medical/dental care, drug rehabilitation, legal aid, and ultimately job training [2C]. Addressing any one of these needs in isolation is not likely to be effective as an intervention [2D].
Help Available
The National Runaway Safeline https://www.1800runaway.org/ offers crisis intervention. Runaways can call, chat live, email, or take part in online forums.
National Runaway Safeline 1-800-786-2929
National Safe Place Network https://www.nspnetwork.org is a community based outreach program which attempts to provide immediate assistance to youth in crisis. Safe Place Network designates participating schools, fire stations, libraries, and businesses as sites where youth can access support resources.
Through the Street Outreach Program https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/runaway-homeless-youth/programs/street-outreach, the Family and Youth Services Bureau works with runaways, homeless and street youth to find them stable housing and services. The program develops relationships between outreach workers and the young people served.
The Transitional Living Program https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/runaway-homeless-youth/programs/transitional-living is geared toward older youth between the ages of 16 and 22. This program aims to provide safe living accommodations either with host families, in group and maternity homes, or in supervised apartments. Mental and physical health care, life skills training, educational opportunities, and job placement are, also, available.
What all these programs seek to do is enable young people in need to rebuild connections with caring adults.
“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3: 15).
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[1A and 1B] National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, “Endangered Runaways”, https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/runaways.
[2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D] National Institutes of Health, “A Review of Services and Interventions for Runaway and Homeless Youth: Moving Forward” by Natasha Slesnick et al, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699020/.
[3] Child Crime Prevention & Safety Center, “Runaways”, https://childsafety.losangelescriminallawyer.pro/runaways.html.
The Supreme Court this week upheld a federal ban on gun ownership by domestic abusers while under restraining orders.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
It is so sad that so many young people have no alternative but to run away, it is terrible, and I am glad there are some organizations to help them when they most need it. X
Yes, it is a heartbreaking situation.
Devastating to read, not just the statistics but the conditions that contribute to being a runaway youth or minor. Thank you, Anna, for making us sensitive to this very real crisis and for giving us hope that there are resources available to help. My God bless those who are engaged in this outreach and may these vulnerable children all reach safe haven.
There are so many reasons for prayer, Dora. We should all be on our knees.
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