Effects of running away
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Why do some young people feel that running away is their only option? n2k talks to one young runaway and looks at the support available for young people.
Why do young people run away?
Around 86, 000 children and young people run away from home each year in the UK. The reasons can include family breakdowns, drug and alcohol problems, mental health problem and even physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Many young people faced with such serious situations feel like they have no one to talk to. However there are many organisations that can help including charity UK Youth who offer support and guidance so that hopefully young people do not get into the position where they want to run away.
Where do runaways go?
If a young person is determined to leave home, they will often end up going to friend’s houses or drop-in centres.
There are also centres such as Nightstop - a network of providing safe emergency accommodation for homeless young people aged 16-25.
However, some young people may end up on the street. The young runaway we spoke to under the care of UK Youth describes his experiences:-
“Life on the streets is cold. During the day it’s more normal. When it’s dark it’s lonely and scary. Sometimes I have slept in abandoned buildings but sometimes I sleep in a doorway where I know there are CCTV cameras. Sometimes I stay awake at night and sleep during the day when I feel safer.”
How does is affect the family?
Regardless of the situation at home, when a young person runs away it is likely to affect the whole family. Our young runaway agrees,
“No matter how good or bad the relationship is it is still their baby.”
Occasionally families may feel like they can’t cope with the financial pressure and will rely on other organisations to care for their child.
How do you rebuild relationships?
In many circumstances it is possible to rebuild family relationships. Our young runaway suggests going to places like YES Youth Enquiry Service) who will act as mediators to try to resolve the problems.
“To rebuild the relationship parents have to try and look at things from the young person’s side. Listen to the young person. Also mediation to rebuild the relationship but this will only work if everyone wants it to. Teenagers can be stubborn.”
He also feels that some families who are on a low income may sometimes need more financial support so they are able to cope with taking that young person back into the home.
He adds, “Sometimes it’s a choice, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes you feel safer on the streets than being at home.”
Where can you get help?
UK Youth supports over 750, 000 young people through it’s network. Young Devon is part of UK Youth’s network and currently runs 11 projects, supporting up to 200 young homeless people a night. They offer various types of accommodation, including rooms in people’s homes with trained individuals. The scheme runs across the county and is for young people leaving care, or 16 & 17 and judged as vulnerable.
Our young runaway also has advice for young people who might be thinking of leaving home:-
“Think about what you do before you do anything.....I would probably say give it a week. Weigh everything up, write a list of pros and cons. Talk to someone. Some kids think it’s quite cool to leave home but after a couple of days they want to go home.”
