The author discusses the problems of teenage runaways: abuse which forces many to leave home, violence and sexual exploitation, lack of help from the child welfare bureaucracy. He illustrates with descriptions of several youngsters at his Covenant House crisis center, Under Twenty-One, in New York City. (SJL)

Describes the results of an experiment in Florida in which jurisdiction over juvenile status offenders (i.e., runaways, truants, or incorrigibles) was transferred from the juvenile justice system to the child welfare system. (BD)

The paper reviews the literature regarding runaway children, defines runaway youth, and discusses predisposing factors. Suggestions are offered for further research on the etiology and treatment of runaway behavior. (JDD)

Reviews verbal and physical abuse that threatens well-being and physical survival of lesbian, gay male, and bisexual youths. Notes that this response to gay male, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents by significant others in their environment is often associated with several problematic outcomes, including school-related problems, running away,…

Examines sexual behaviors, drug use, and knowledge of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among 108 runaways in Cleveland (Ohio). Results indicate variable rates of risk behavior, AIDS knowledge, and minimal drug use. Results suggest that it should not be assumed that all runaways engage in health-compromising sexual behaviors. (SLD)

Examined young runaways' current risk behaviors, knowledge of AIDS, and beliefs about preventing AIDS by questioning 130 male and female subjects from shelters in New York City in 1988-89. Results did not explain the 6.7 percent seroprevalence rate reported in l988. Recommends closer inquiries regarding IV drug use and prostitution. (DM)

Street youth 12 to 19 years old (N=775) in four American cities were interviewed to examine the relationship between suicide attempts and antecedent home life variables. Forty-eight percent of the females and 27% of the males had attempted suicide. Sexual and physical abuse before leaving home were independent predictors of suicide attempts for…

Describes treatment activities at the Boys Town Emergency Shelter Program for runaway and homeless youths. An examination of data collected from 100 shelter users indicated a high number of teaching interactions between staff and youths high levels of youth satisfaction with the staff; and a low frequency of youth disruptive behaviors in the…

Profiles Latin American street children, including interpersonal relationships and daily life, based on a bibliography of 90 articles published between 1985 and 1994. Finds that the bulk of street children are boys between 10 and 14 years with erratic school attendance. Finds little information on ethnic background. Discusses changes in societal…

Evaluated predictors of therapy attendance in a sample of substance abusing youth in two southwestern runaway shelters. Runaway youth and their families were engaged into a 15-session ecologically-based family therapy (EBFT) intervention. Fewer days between pretreatment assessment and first therapy session predicted more sessions attended. No…

Realistic fiction has changed dramatically over the years. Formerly a sentimental, family-oriented story, today's realism focuses on today's problems and the protagonist's struggle to overcome them. Parents, once portrayed as protectors of the children, now often are cast as failures, needing help themselves. Yesterday's taboo subjects--drugs,…

This study examined the associations between lifetime mental disorder, comorbidity, and self-reported postrunaway arrests among 428 (187 males, 241 females) homeless and runaway youth. The analysis examined the pattern of arrests across five lifetime mental disorders (alcohol abuse, drug abuse, conduct disorder, major depressive episode, and…

This report presents the findings and recommendations from the President's Child Safety Partnership, a group of citizens representing business, private nonprofit groups, the government, and private individuals appointed by President Reagan to gather accurate information about the nature and extent of violence against children and to identify…

This booklet discusses child abuse, targeting pre-teenagers and teenagers. It describes what child abuse is, why it happens, and what a teenager can do about it. These topics are covered: (1) definition of child abuse and types of child abuse; (2) differentiating between child abuse and discipline; (3) sexual abuse; (4) family types of child…

This document contains witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the issue of missing children and the initiatives taken by the private sector to help locate these children and return them to their homes. Opening statements by Senators Specter, Simon, McConnell, Metzenbaum, and Denton discuss…