Teens that run away are placing themselves in danger. They make poor choices where to sleep, do not have proper hygiene, do not get enough sleep, and may trade sex for food, clothes or a place to sleep. There are fluctuations in the statistics but they are still staggering.

Here is a list of threats or problems experienced by teens that ran away:

  • Physically or sexually abused at home in the previous year
  • Afraid of abuse upon returning home
  • Substance dependent
  • 13 years old or younger
  • With someone known to be abusing drugs
  • Using hard drugs
  • Spent time in a place where criminal activity was known to occur
  • Engaged in criminal activity during the course of the episode
  • With a violent person
  • Previously attempted suicide
  • Enrolled in school at the time they ran away and missed at least 5 days of school
  • Physically assaulted or someone attempted to physically assault them
  • With a sexually exploitative person
  • Had a serious mental illness or developmental disability
  • Sexually assaulted or someone attempted to sexually assault them
  • Teen’s whereabouts was unknown to the parents for at least 30 days
  • Engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money, drugs, food, or shelter
  • Had or developed a serious or life-threatening medical condition

 

Reference:
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART–October 2002)

According to a Family and Youth Services Bureau Report about runaway and homeless youth:
35% had used drugs
26% had attempted suicide
33% were assaulted/and or robbed on the street
66% had trouble meeting basic needs
80% had attempted or committed a theft-related activity

Reference: http://mikelickteig.hubpages.com/hub/Teen-Runaways-A-Dangerous-and-Tragic-Problem 

If your teenage son is exhibiting some of these behaviors, seek help now.  You do not want your son to become a statistic.  Please contact Triumph Youth Services today.  We can offer a safe, secure, family-like environment with trained staff, accredited school, individual, group and family therapy and more.