Runaways

Children run away for a variety of reasons. Typically, children who run feel that they are out of options. Their current situation has become overwhelming. They may feel that fleeing that situation is their only hope of maintaining control over their lives. Running is, in a sense, a coping strategy.

Running away means something has gone wrong in the child’s world. It is essential to address the reasons behind the behavior, and take steps to repair the family structure and restore the home to a place where the child feels safe, respected and loved.  

Some children run out of fear and frustration. Others run to escape an ongoing pattern of abuse or to escape the negativity that stems from divorce or grief. Children on the run may gravitate towards an individual whom they feel understands them better than their families. Some common motivations for runaways include:

·          To avoid an emotional experience or consequence that they are expecting in some future encounter or situation.

·          To escape a recurrent or ongoing unpleasant, painful or difficult experience in their life.

·          To avoid the loss of activities, relationships or friendships that are considered important or worthwhile.

·          To be with others people who are supportive, encouraging and active.

·          To be with others or in places that are distractions from other problems in their life.

·          To change or stop what they are doing or about to do.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reporter Mackenzie Carpenter profiled a specific case of a young girl who had been a chronic run-away for three years.  Carpenter interviewed KidsVoice Executive Director Scott Hollander for the story. “Children vote with their feet,” Hollander said, “and when they run, they are telling you something.”  To read this article in its entirety, visit http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030126runawaymainreg3p3.asp.

Most runaway children do not realize the dangers of living on the streets. According to the National Runaway Switchboard, 75% of runaways will become involved in theft, drugs or pornography.  One out of every three teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.

For more information about preventing and understanding teen runaways, visit: http://www.education-options.com/articles/runawayprevention.htm

Teen Prostitution

Teen prostitution and the sexual exploitation of children is a growing problem in the United States.  Government statistics report a substantial increase in teen prostitution, and indicate that thirteen is the average age of newly recruited teen prostitutes.  Although the majority of teen prostitutes are runaways from poor and inner-city neighborhoods, the percentage of teen prostitutes from upper and middle class homes is trending upward.   

The stereotype that young prostitutes come from dysfunctional or abusive homes is not always true. Some young people are simply seeking financial autonomy from their parents and view sex as an easy means to that end.  Pimps and madams now target upper and middle class girls who can be lured with promises of designer clothes, jewelry and financial independence.  Law enforcement officials now report that most teen prostitutes from upper and middle class homes were recruited in suburban neighborhoods at shopping malls, fast food restaurants and other place that parents generally believe are safe for their children. 

One organization that is addressing this growing problem is the Paul & Lisa Program, a non-profit established to help children at risk of sexual exploitation. The focus of the program is to empower youth to choose healthier, more promising lifestyles and to educate youth and the general public about the dangers of prostitution. The organization highlights the fact that teen prostitution is not just a problem in poor or urban neighborhoods, but is becoming more prevalent in suburban communities as well. For more information about this organization and general information about child prostitution visit: http://www.paulandlisa.org/who.html

A new study out of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work concludes that official reports seriously underestimate the problem. The study identifies 17 groups of children in the U.S. who are at "substantial risk" of being sexually exploited. The largest groups are runaway and other homeless American children who use survival sex to acquire food, shelter, clothing and other things needed to survive on American streets. The customers of street children in the United States, Mexico and Canada include:

·          pedophiles and traffickers

·          transient males, including members of the military

·          long-haul truck drivers

·          seasonal workers

·          conventioneers

·          sex tourists

These researches developed an eleven-point action agenda with the goal of eliminating further commercial sexual exploitation of America’s youth. For instance, in the U.S. child sexual exploitation affects as many boys as girls, but boys are less protected by human-service and law enforcement systems because of the widespread belief that boys are better able than girls to fend for themselves. This study found many gaps in policies and suggests services to combat sexual exploitation and help the victims. For more information about this study, please visit: http://www.ssw.upenn.edu/~restes/CSEC.htm

The United Nations reported that an estimated 300,000 children are involved in prostitution in the United States.  The UN report emphasized the fact that sexual exploitation affects young people from all cultural, social and economic backgrounds. As more and more children are electing to participate in this kind of lifestyle, it is important that adults take time to educate their children about the dangers of prostitution and pornography, and open the lines of communication so that children are comfortable expressing their wants and needs.  With the help of supportive adults, children can learn to set healthier goals, and acquire the skills necessary to avoid being lured by the fabricated glamour of life on the streets.