RUNAWAY CHILDREN

1. How many children run away every year?

2. Why do children run away?
3. Where do runaway children often sleep?
4. What often happens to them?
5. What do some children have to do to survive?
6. What % of runaway children are under eleven years old?
7. What % of runaway children are under eight years old?
8. Are white children more or less likely to run away from home?
9. Where can runaway children go, if it isn't safe to go home?
10. Is there a problem with runaway children in your country?

Young people who run away from home will get more help under an action plan being launched by
the government. It aims to cut the number of runaways and give vulnerable children safer options.
An estimated 100,000 children - some as young as six - run away every year. 25% leave before they
are 11. 7% leave before they are eight.
White children are most likely to run away. 14% are abused when they are away. Most are running
away from home and school problems. It can be to get away from violent parents, to escape bullies
or avoid family arguments. Some even think it would be fun.
They end up sleeping rough - in alley ways, fields and parks. They're often attacked and some end
up begging to survive.
The idea is to get teachers to spot pupils who might be planning to leave home.
There will be better support for children who have run away from dangerous situations.
And it'll be made easier for runaways to find foster families if it's not safe to go home.