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Child Abuse and Neglect: What is it, its effects and causes
Part 3 of a series: Endangered runaways
Statistics and definitions
How many children runaway every year and how many of those would be classified as
endangered? According to the latest figures from a Juvenile Justice study (1999)
approximately 1,682,900 children were determined to have been runaways or
"thrownaway" children that year. Of this total, 71% or 1,190,900 could have been
endangered. Only 21% (357,600) of the runaway/thrownaway children were reported
missing to authorities. Reasons given for not making a report were that the parents
knew the child’s location, did not think police were needed, the child was not gone long
enough, they expected the child to return, did not want to get the child in trouble,
believed the child was safe, prior runaway experience or the caretakers did not care
that the child was gone.
What determines if a child is classified as a runaway?
A child leaves home without permission and stays away
overnight.
A child 14 years old or younger (or older and mentally incompetent)
who is away from home (with permission) chooses not to come
home when expected to and stays away overnight.
A child 15 years old or older who is away from home (with permission)
chooses not to come home and stays away two nights.
What is meant by a "thrownaway" child? According to Juvenile Justice:
• A child is asked or told to leave home by a parent or other household adult, no
adequate alternative care is arranged for the child by a household adult, and the
child is out of the household overnight, or
• A child who is away from home is prevented from returning home by a parent or other
household adult, no adequate alternative care is arranged for the child by a household
adult, and the child is out of the household overnight.
How do authorities decide the runaway is endangered? The following are the main
characteristics of an endangered runaway:
1.) physical or sexual abuse at home or fear of abuse upon return (21%)
2.) substance dependency (19%)
3.) age 13 years old or younger (18%)
4.) being in the company of someone known to be abusing drugs (18%)
5.) child was using hard drugs (17%)
6.) child present during criminal activity (12%), or engaged in criminal activity (11%)
7.) child was with a violent person (7%)
8.) child had previously attempted suicide (4%)
9.) child was physically assaulted, or an attempt to assault was made (4%)
10.) child with a sexually exploitative person (2%)
11.) child had mental illness or developmental disability (1%)
12.) child was sexually assaulted, or an attempt to assault was made (1%)
Prevention
Obviously, caring parents do not want their child to become one of these statistics.
Besides escaping physical or sexual abuse or being thrown away, what are other
reasons a child would runaway, putting themselves in the dangers above? One of the
missing persons sites uses this slogan:
Teens + Stress - Resources = Crisis
If a child/teen has serious stresses they are not emotionally equipped to handle alone,
no-one is aware of these stresses and the child has no resources for help, a crisis can
occur that may lead them to runaway from their problems. Some of these stresses
are: divorce of parents, blended families, being gay or lesbian, parent remarrying,
alcoholism, HIV/AIDS, parent being unemployed, illness or death of a family member,
pregnancy or STDs, learning disability, domestic violence, neglect or emotional abuse.
Parents need to stay aware of the situations that can cause serious stress in a
child/teen and precipitate a crisis. There is only one way to do this: communicate!
Try to set aside a time everyday that you can actually communicate with your
child/teen, not so much to talk but to LISTEN to their concerns. If there are
disagreements on how to handle a situation, you can still listen to their side of the
problem and possibly come to a compromise. Giving the child, especially a teen, a
reasonable amount of control or choice decreases their stress, enables them to feel
valued in the family, have more self-confidence and may prevent a crisis.
If the parent or family is unable to handle the problems alone, there are resources
available in the community, such as assistance from other relatives, physicians,
teachers, school counselors, coaches or clergy. Professional counseling may be
obtained privately or through social services agencies. Before a resolution, it may be
helpful if the child goes to stay temporarily with a relative, a trusted friend, foster parent
or even a shelter home. These solutions are much more preferable than a child/teen
running away and living in an endangered condition.
The Aftermath
If a child does runaway, is found and returns home, what should the parents do?
Many runaways stay in danger from fear of a confrontation with their parents if they
return home. Even though you may be upset, talk calmly to the child and let them
know that you are relieved and happy they are home and safe.
Arrange for medical attention if needed.
The child will probably need time to get accustomed to being home again, eating
regularly, being able to stay clean and sleeping in their own room. Be patient and
encouraging while they adjust.
Talk and listen with the child and try to work out the problems which caused the crisis.
If you still cannot do this alone, seek family, community and counseling resources.
Asking for help is a sign of strength. You have both experienced the worse part of the
crisis and will be motivated to find a resolution to avoid the situation repeating. Let the
child know that it may take a lot of time and effort to improve but you will be there for
them.
Let any family, friends or law enforcement that you reported the runaway to be aware
that the child is back home.
When it is found that a child has left the home because of physical or sexual abuse,
then law enforcement and Children's Protective Services should be involved and more
intensive therapy will be needed. The child may be in danger if returned to the home
and other placement may be advised and located by social services or the courts.
Sources: Office of Juvenile Justice National Runaway Switchboard NCMEC
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Part 3: Runaways 
