RUNNING AWAY

An estimated 100,000 children fewer than age sixteen run away from home each year.  1 in 8 had been physically hurt and 1 in 9 sexually assaulted when they were away.  Two third of children who run away from home are not reported missing to the police by their parents or carer's and unless refuges for young run away children are created they run the risk of being harmed as they sleep rough on the streets.

A survey of 11,000 children aged 14 to 16 conducted by the charity and University of York; found 1054 had run away from home overnight. 1 in 6 children said they were forced to sleep rough or in stranger's homes and 1 in 12 reported being hurt or harmed while away from home.

More then 1 in 10 children surveyed said, they were forced to beg, steal or resort to other dangerous survival strategies while away from home.

We the Kali Mata Mandir very strongly believe that we must help;

• We need to offer them a safe alternative by way of refuge centers
• Local helpline for runaway children

The local authorities are required to offer help for the young run away's but support services are seriously lacking.  We are calling for a national network of government funded refuge.

There is no 24 HOUR WAITING PERIOD for missing children under 16.

The first 48 hours is the most important in locating your child.  Dial 999 as soon as you suspect your child has disappeared and strongly request that a police report be filed immediately.  Record the officer's name, badge number, telephone and report number.  Ask who will follow up the initial investigation.

MORE THINGS TO DO-

CHECK WITH YOUR CHILD'S FRIENDS, school, work, neighbours, relatives or any one else who may know of your child's whereabouts.  Ask them to notify you if they hear from your child.

Find out if any of your child's friends are missing.

Check home computers for leads such as online contacts and details of planned meetings.

Keep a record of everyone you contact including date and time name of person organisation and phone numbers received.

Keep your phone staffed and record conversations this may be the only way your child knows how to reach you.

Close the door to your child's room and don't touch anything in there.

Find pictures of your child to use in the search.  Choose photographs that are recent and realistic.

Check telephone bills for past few months for any unfamiliar long distance calls.

Cooperate fully with the police and media.

Contact charitable organisations in your area and nearby areas.  Give them your Childs photograph. If your teen gives an incorrect name and age it helps identify him/her.

Contact hospitals, abortions clinics, drug treatment centres and counselling services in your area.

Leave flyers at youth hangouts, shopping centres and recreation centres.  You can create, display and print a missing person flyer from your computer.

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE RUN AWAY?

Teens leave home for a wide variety of reasons, including trouble at school, arguments with the family, problems that arises due to their sexual orientation and the influence of predators.  Runaway's may leave on impulse, protesting a family quarrel over a rule or an isolated incident.

But the main motivation for running away seems to be neglect or abuse.  They decide that there only chance to survive is to run away.  However, what many of these teens learn is that they are no safer on the streets.  Life on the streets has become more dangerous owing to increasing sexual exploitation and drug use.  The dangers they face are often more harrowing than anything they would face at home; yet when they weigh their options, many of these teens often choose to stick it out on their own believing they have at least some control over their lives-rather than return to an environment where they know they will be abused .

SITUATIONAL RUNAWAY'S are the largest group of runaways comprised of young people who leave home for a day or two after a disagreement with parents.  Although, they may be spending a brief time on the streets they usually return home within a few days.  A small percentage may repeat this behaviour and remain away for longer periods.  If so they become a part of the chronic runaway group.

The suburban kid who runs to a friend's house the first time may turn into a chronic runaway who eventually finds his/her way to the heart of the near city where other rootless kids hangout.

Runaway's may leave for long periods of time, often progressing to repeat runaways to chronic runaways to street youth.  The latter do not return home at all but live in transitory housing such as friend's apartments, shelters, cheap hotels, abandoned buildings (squats) or underneath the high bridges.  They tend to hangout at fast food restaurants, shopping centres and video arcades.  There youth are totally on their own for their survival and are frequent victims of the violence and numerous dangers of the streets.

THROW AWAY'S are defined as youth who have left home because their parents have abandoned them, asked them to leave or subjected them to extreme levels of abuse or neglect.  Many in this group may have spent time previously with relatives or had periods of residence in foster care.

RUNAWAY PREVENTION

If you are concerned that your child may consider running away, the Kali Mata Mandir recommends taking the following steps:

• PROVIDE a place of safety for your children-both emotionally and physically
• TALK to your children openly and honestly
• LISTEN to your children when they talk about concerns, feelings and difficulties they maybe facing
• RESPECT your children's emotional responses in every situation
• ENCOURAGE your children to succeed and to work through their differences and struggles
• SUPPORT your children's need to mature and gain independence with their years and to develop relationships with other mature adults.
• CREATE opportunities for your children to learn about positive decisions for their lives
• TEACH your children to be accountable for their actions
• PROTECT your children from feelings of loneliness and isolation
• DEFEND your children openly against harassment or verbal abuse of any kind
• MAKE your home a place of trust and support that fills your child's needs

WHEN YOU'RE CHILD RETURNS HOME  

• BE HAPPY THAT YOUR CHILD IS BACK HOME many children fear the initial meeting with their parents.  Remain calm, express relief and tell your child you love him/her and that together you will solve any problems
• MAKE FOLLOW-UP PHONE CALLS let all your contacts including police know that your child has returned home.  Police may need to speak or meet with your child
• ALLOW TIME TO SETTLE IN your child may need a shower, a meal clean clothes or sleep
• GET MEDICAL ATTENTION visit your family doctor to address any medical concerns
• TALK WITH YOUR CHILD discuss how you can work together to prevent him/her from leaving again.  Acknowledge some problems take time and effort to solve the problems safely and reasonably. 
• LOOK FOR ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT people and organisations in your community can help counsel your family.  Asking for help is a sign of strength and shows you are taking the issue seriously.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR HELP AND ADVICE;

Message Home Helpline 0800 700 7000

Shelter National Helpline 0800 800 4444

Alone in London 0207 278 4224

Centre Point 0207 426 5300