The Truth About Runaway Youth
This month we bring you:
THE TRUTH ABOUT RUNAWAY YOUTH
When a stranger abducts a child, the media follow the story closely because they know the child is in very grave danger. It’s important to know that less than 1% of all missing children have been abducted by strangers. In fact, the NISMART-2 study indicated that each year in the United States 115 children were victims of a stranger kidnapping. We want you to know that 90% of these children who were abducted by strangers are located and returned home safely.
By far, the most prevalent type of reported missing children in the United States are runaway/thrownaway children. According to the National Runaway Safeline (Formerly the National Runaway Switchboard,) between 1.6-2.8 million youth runaway each year in the United States. Children can begin running as young as ages 10-14. The youngest are the most at-risk for the dangers of street life.
Unfortunately, all too often runaway youth are often considered a family problem, rather than a child welfare and societal concern—in spite of the astronomical numbers of children who runaway.
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About Polly Klaas® Foundation
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E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org ~ Phone: (707) 769-1334 ~ 24 hour hotline: (800) 587-4357
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