November 1st is National Runaway Prevention month.
This is a cause that, unfortunately, does not get enough attention. When I was first hired on as a social media liaison for Endeavor NY, Runaway Prevention was the first cause I covered.
Did you know there are approximately 1.3 million homeless youth? Children under the age of 18 account for 39% of the homeless population, and one in seven young people between the ages of 10 and 18 will runaway. Youth ages 12-17 are more likely to become homeless than adults.
Abuse is often the cause. 46% of runaway and homeless youth report being physically abused, while 38% report being emotionally abused by a family or household member.
Scary statistics? Most runaway youth receive no help or support.
Please take a moment to pass this post around and keep runaway & homeless youth in your thoughts.
Do you or someone you know need help? The National Runaway Safeline works to create a safe space for runaway youth.
There are approximately 1.3 million youth that call the streets home. Children under the age of 18 account for 39% of the homeless population, and one in seven young people between the ages of 10 and 18 will runaway. Youth ages 12-17 are more likely to become homeless than adults. (source)
According to estimates by the Urban Institute, nearly 1 in 5 youths under the age of 18 will run away at least once.
I spoke with T. Salinger, who is more than a little familiar with being a teenage runaway. At fifty-three, Salinger has overcome the struggles of living on the street and is here to share her story with us.
“I was brutally abused as a child. I remember as far back as age three, being abused by my mother and afraid of her even as a toddler.”
The abuse was not just physical. When asked about her reasons for leaving, Salinger stated, “I was told over and over again that I was the worst thing that ever happened to her (my mother), and that she wished she’d never had me.”
Salinger was fifteen when she left home for good.
“It got worse the older I got. At fifteen, she (my mother) tried to kill me. I was terrified. I had no plan and no where to go, but I ran away. My neighbors found me hiding and let me spend the night.”
Unfortunately, Salinger’s story is not an uncommon one. 46% of runaway and homeless youth report being physically abused, while 38% report being emotionally abused by a family or household member.
Most runaway youth receive no help or support, but ignoring the problem only adds to it.
When asked if she received any help, Salinger stated, “No. I met some kids who were a little older than me and were also on their own. We formed a group and supported each other. We’d do random odd jobs and eventually got the oldest one (18) to rent an apartment that we all lived in.”
It’s no surprise that adults are an untrusted entity when it comes to runaway/homeless youth. If they turn their heads to the need, they’re ignoring the gruesome outcome of their chosen ignorance.
When asked, Salinger stated that she did not trust adults at the time, and wouldn’t have accepted anyone’s help had they offered. “I’d have stayed with my friends,” says Salinger. “I was very distrustful of adults. Every one of them in my life had betrayed me and didn’t seem to care. I was fifteen and on my own and no one had any idea if I was okay. I wasn’t going to school and no one checked up on me.”
While Salinger is alive and well now, many are not so lucky. It is estimated that 5,000 youth are assaulted on the streets, and ultimately die of illness or suicide. (source)
The National Runaway Safeline works to create a safe space for runaway youth. On their site, you’ll find a call line as well as a chatline, an email to write in to, and a forum to seek support on.
The first step to changing the statistics is reaching out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Meet our July 2015 Volunteer of the Month, Michelle Vos. She and our other runaway crisis call center volunteers are invaluable to our mission. Read more.
Shattered Lives: The Return of Marilyn Gambrell of No More Victims
Shattered Lives: The Return of Marilyn Gambrell of No More Victims
Listen to Shattered Lives Radio
Marilyn Gambrell is warmly welcomed back to Shattered Lives Radio to update listeners about what’s been going on with No More Victims over the last year since she has appeared with her “kids.” She will bring all the latest news and accomplishments about the children who are part of the program at No More Victims, many who come back to give a hand to the next…
