Information and resources available

[Tracygirl]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy855
Missing Children: Incidences and Characteristics of Runaway Children and Resources Available to Them1
Stacy Daniels and M.A. Brennan2

Table 1. This is the first in a two-part series focusing on missing children. This first paper will take a closer look at runaways: who they are, the scope of the problem, and what professionals can do to help. We will also consider the related problem of “throwaways”: children who have been abandoned or forced to leave their homes.  


Introduction
The personal, emotional, and human impacts associated with runaway children are vast. While experts do not agree on exactly how many runaways there are, they do agree that the problem is a big one. According to the National Runaway Switchboard (2006), there are between 1.3 and 2.8 million runaway and homeless youths in America at any point in time. Other studies show that one out of every seven children will run away before the age of eighteen (NRS, 2006). The U.S. Department of Justice gives slightly lower numbers, indicating that close to 1.7 million children run away from home each year or are cast out. However, such numbers only hint at the seriousness of this issue.

Characteristics
Little information exists about runaways, mostly because they are a very hard group to reach. Most runaway episodes last only a few days, which does not give researchers enough time to locate and interview these youths. Also, many runaways do not wish to talk about their experiences, even years after the fact. Finally, most runaway cases are never recorded. It is believed that only 21% of all caregivers report their missing child. This means that police records and other figures, while they may give researchers a baseline number to work with, are incomplete and misleadingly low.

The most reliable and complete data we have on the issue comes from the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-2), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and completed in 2002. This study found that in 1999 an estimated 1,682,900 children ran away or were forced out of their homes.

Runaway children are those who leave their homes without permission and choose not to return for at least for one night. Children who have been “thrown out,” however, are those who have been asked or told to leave home, who have a parent or other household adult preventing their return, or who have been left behind. The literature calls these youth “thrownaway” children (or “throwaways”) because they have been tossed out of their homes.

Throwaway children are grouped with runaways because these groups often overlap. A runaway child might be told not to come back, which would then make him or her a throwaway. Sometimes children leave on their own after parents threaten to throw them out.

Of the estimated 1.7 million runaway/throwaway children in 1999, most (68%) were in their late teens (fifteen to seventeen years old). About 28% were between the ages of twelve and fourteen. 4% were between the ages of seven and eleven. There were equal numbers of males and females, and no ethnic group or race was overly represented. An estimated 35% had run away before. Data from the National Runaway Switchboard (2006) indicates that most children who left home stayed with a friend or relative. NISMART-2 (2002) found that 99.6% of all the youth studied returned home by the end of the year and about half returned within a week. Most did not travel far (fifty miles or less) and only a few ever left their state.

More children run away during the summer when the weather is good and school is out of session. Oddly enough, though, the number of runaways does not go down very much during the winter. This shows that factors other than warm weather and lack of school supervision must shape a childs decision to run away. Some states attract more runaways than others. California, in particular, seems to be a popular choice for children who have left home, judging by the high numbers of emergency calls received by the National Runaway Switchboard from the state, and by the many homeless youth and child prostitutes police find there.

Some children leave home because of a conflict at school. Others run from institutions and foster care. However, most are trying to escape family problems, especially abuse. In fact, there has long been a known link between abuse and runaways. Previous research shows that in 1999, over 70% of runaways, or approximately 1,190,900 children, were in very real danger of physical or sexual abuse (NISMART-2, 2002). Approximately 21% were being abused at home, and over three thousand were dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Resources for Families, Counselors, and Extension Agents
There are many resources that can aid families and professionals as they try to deal with the issues associated with runaways. These resources are also of use to runaways, throwaways, or any child facing problems at home.

Hotlines
Some national 24-hour crisis hotlines are aimed solely at helping children in crisis. These include, but are not limited to:

•The National Runaway Switchboard (1-800-RUNAWAY; http://www.1800runaway.org)

•KidsPeace National Centers for Kids in Crisis (1-800-334-4KID; http://www.kidspeace.org)

•Youth Crisis Hotline (1-800-HIT-HOME; http://www.1800hithome.com)

These toll-free numbers can provide the caller with immediate counseling, answer legal questions, give needed information, and act as a referral service. The Web sites provide additional resources for teenagers in distress, teachers, advocates, and the community.

Home Free Program
Greyhound Lines, Inc. offers a program for runaways called “Home Free.” It provides young adults ages twelve to twenty with a free bus ticket home. Participants can use this service twice before being charged for the ticket. This program has helped nearly 10,000 children get back home. More information is available at their Web site: http://www.greyhound.com/company/contributions.shtml.

Project Safe Place
Project Safe Place, started by the YMCA in 1983, provides emergency help to children and teens who need assistance or feel afraid. A yellow and black sign that children are taught to recognize is placed outside of participating agencies, businesses, public libraries, and even in the side window of some city busses. Once the child is there, an employee will find a comfortable spot for the child to wait while he or she calls the local Safe Place contact phone number. Then a Safe Place volunteer will come to talk to the child and take them wherever they need to go, whether that is an agency for counseling or support, or a shelter to spend the night. Children learn about this program through school, ad campaigns, and word of mouth. Most schools also give contact information cards to their students. These cards are small enough to keep in a pocket or notebook. Project Safe Place is always looking for more agencies and businesses to take part. To learn more about becoming a part of Project Safe Place, or for more information on the services they provide, please visit http://www.safeplaceservices.org, or call (502) 635-3660.

Emergency Shelters
Emergency shelters provide youth in crisis with a safe place to spend the night. There are many different kinds of shelters, but all provide necessities like beds, food, and blankets. The one that services Alachua County (as well as ten other Florida counties) is Interface, part of the Corner Drug Store, a local nonprofit. Interface can house up to 40 children a night. It also offers its services to other at-risk teenagers, such as children who often skip school or who cannot get along with parents and adults. Clients are assigned a counselor, and a case worker is available. Shelters such as Interface often are connected to other services, such as drug rehab, family counseling, and independent living programs, to provide better care to their clients. Interface can be contacted 24 hours a day at their toll-free number (1-800-854-5377). Administration services can be reached at (352) 334-3800 during normal business hours. To find an emergency shelter outside of Alachua County, contact the area's division of the United Way, or call the local police department or social services agency for assistance.

Internet Resources
The Internet provides a wide variety of resources. They range from well-planned teaching curriculums like the ones posted by the National Runaway Switchboard on their Web site (http://www.1800runaway.com/educators/educators.html) to a “choose-your-own-adventure” type story (http://therunawaygame.com/index.html). The Teens in Trouble Web site (http://www.lv.psu.edu/jkl1/teens/runaways.html) is a good place to start, and Yahoo provides a directory with a list of some major resources (http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Cultures_and_Groups/Teenagers/Runaways/), but the best way to find information about a particular location or program is to do a Web search. Remember, though, that not all Web sites provide good, or even accurate, information. Sites posted by government agencies, university studies, and national nonprofit programs are usually much more reliable than other sites, but even they have their problems at times.


Things You Can Do in Your Community
There are many things that individuals can do in their community to help all who are faced with the problems and issues associated with runaway children.

Invest in Your Own Community
First, find out what resources are available to runaways and children in crisis in your area. Take a look at your local emergency shelter. Is it in good condition? Is it large enough to house all the runaways in the area? Maybe the building is big enough, but the services aren't addressing the real problem. A trained counselor can be just as important to these children's well-being as a warm bed and food to eat. If there is something lacking in the local emergency shelter, then local citizens, Extension, and other change agents can help. They can raise money to improve the shelter, and they can volunteer to help it serve its clients.

Team Up and Coordinate
If there aren't any programs or facilities for runaways or unwanted children in your town, then it's time to establish one. It is always best to work with people and organizations who already know the area. You might simply ask an existing organization if they can expand into your town. If that isn't an option, then consider teaming up with another agency that has the resources and expertise to help your cause. Local service providers, hospitals, churches, police, and civic organizations could all contribute.

Work With, Not Against, the Local Authorities
Every state has different laws regarding runaways. Every county handles runaways and homeless youth differently. Some police stations will actively search for runaways, while others do not have the time or resources to look for them. Some judges are strict when assigning punishment and might make the family pay fines or keep the incident on the child's permanent record. Other judges are much more easygoing. It is important to understand the policies your town has about runaways. Talk to officials before starting any program, and always work with police and the judicial system, not against them. This way, your efforts and theirs will help serve children who face difficult times, instead of creating a more stressful and confusing experience for them.

Be Proactive
Children most frequently run away because of conflict with their parents. Well-timed family counseling could stop thousands of youths from ever running away in the first place. There should be at least one organization in every area that can provide affordable family counseling to those in need. A proactive and supportive school system can also help stop children from running away. Teachers can address the issue of running from home in their classes. They should let children know that running away is not romantic, adventurous, or a safe way to deal with their problems. Children need to know that life on the streets is nothing short of grim. Students also need to know where to turn if they ever do run away, become throwaways, or feel like they need to run away. Most importantly, teachers should help students learn better ways to solve conflicts and always let their students know that someone is willing to listen and help them.

Be an Advocate for Change
If you think your community isn't doing enough about the runaway/throwaway issue, or if you think things should change on the national level, do not be afraid to speak out. Advocacy has been shown to work.

Fundraisers are a good way to start collecting money and increasing awareness. They are also fairly easy to organize. Showing your support and voting for government officials who address the problem of runaways is another way to help. Writing to your local representative or collecting signatures for a petition might influence future legislation. On a group level, you could organize an ad campaign or even hire a lobbyist. You could even organize your own demonstration at the state or national capitol. No matter how you decide to help, be ready to accept small victories and numerous setbacks. Being a child advocate is not a simple task, but if you think that the issues facing runaways and “throwaways” are worthy of more attention, you should consider becoming a voice for change.

References
Greyhound Lines, Inc. (2006). Charitable contributions. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.greyhound.com/company/contributions.shtml

Hammer, H., Finkelhor, D., & Sediak, A.J. (2002). Runaway/thrownaway children: National estimates and characteristics. (NISMART Bulletin Series NCJ 196469). Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/nismart2_runaway.pdf

Mitchell, F. (2003). “Can I come home?” The experiences of young runaways contacting the Message Home helpline [Electronic version]. Child and Family Social Work, 8, 3-11.

National Runaway Switchboard (2006). Homepage. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.nrscrisisline.org/

National Safe Place, YMCA. (2006). Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.safeplaceservices.org/

Sandt, J. (2006). Runaway lives: Personal stories and reflections by runaways and their families. Retrieved March 18, 2006, from http://www.lv.psu.edu/jkl1/runawaylives/index.html

Sandt, J.(2004). Teens in trouble: Runaways. Retrieved March 18, 2006, from http://www.lv.psu.edu/jkl1/teens/runaways.html

Spatz, C., Widom C., & Ames, M.A. (1994). Criminal consequences of childhood victimization [Electronic version]. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 303-317.

Stiffman, A.R. (1989). Physical and sexual abuse in runaway youths [Electronic version]. Child Abuse and Neglect, 13, 417-426.

Footnotes
1.
This document is FCS2254, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 2006. Reviewed: January 2009. Please visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.
Stacy Daniels and M. A. Brennan, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim
Edit- correct sp subject line title.  MB

[piwannaberookie]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy855
Missing Children: Incidences and Characteristics of Runaway Children and Resources Available to Them1
Stacy Daniels and M.A. Brennan2

Table 1. This is the first in a two-part series focusing on missing children. This first paper will take a closer look at runaways: who they are, the scope of the problem, and what professionals can do to help. We will also consider the related problem of “throwaways”: children who have been abandoned or forced to leave their homes. 


Introduction
The personal, emotional, and human impacts associated with runaway children are vast. While experts do not agree on exactly how many runaways there are, they do agree that the problem is a big one. According to the National Runaway Switchboard (2006), there are between 1.3 and 2.8 million runaway and homeless youths in America at any point in time. Other studies show that one out of every seven children will run away before the age of eighteen (NRS, 2006). The U.S. Department of Justice gives slightly lower numbers, indicating that close to 1.7 million children run away from home each year or are cast out. However, such numbers only hint at the seriousness of this issue.

Characteristics
Little information exists about runaways, mostly because they are a very hard group to reach. Most runaway episodes last only a few days, which does not give researchers enough time to locate and interview these youths. Also, many runaways do not wish to talk about their experiences, even years after the fact. Finally, most runaway cases are never recorded. It is believed that only 21% of all caregivers report their missing child. This means that police records and other figures, while they may give researchers a baseline number to work with, are incomplete and misleadingly low.

The most reliable and complete data we have on the issue comes from the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-2), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and completed in 2002. This study found that in 1999 an estimated 1,682,900 children ran away or were forced out of their homes.

Runaway children are those who leave their homes without permission and choose not to return for at least for one night. Children who have been “thrown out,” however, are those who have been asked or told to leave home, who have a parent or other household adult preventing their return, or who have been left behind. The literature calls these youth “thrownaway” children (or “throwaways”) because they have been tossed out of their homes.

Throwaway children are grouped with runaways because these groups often overlap. A runaway child might be told not to come back, which would then make him or her a throwaway. Sometimes children leave on their own after parents threaten to throw them out.

Of the estimated 1.7 million runaway/throwaway children in 1999, most (68%) were in their late teens (fifteen to seventeen years old). About 28% were between the ages of twelve and fourteen. 4% were between the ages of seven and eleven. There were equal numbers of males and females, and no ethnic group or race was overly represented. An estimated 35% had run away before. Data from the National Runaway Switchboard (2006) indicates that most children who left home stayed with a friend or relative. NISMART-2 (2002) found that 99.6% of all the youth studied returned home by the end of the year and about half returned within a week. Most did not travel far (fifty miles or less) and only a few ever left their state.

More children run away during the summer when the weather is good and school is out of session. Oddly enough, though, the number of runaways does not go down very much during the winter. This shows that factors other than warm weather and lack of school supervision must shape a childs decision to run away. Some states attract more runaways than others. California, in particular, seems to be a popular choice for children who have left home, judging by the high numbers of emergency calls received by the National Runaway Switchboard from the state, and by the many homeless youth and child prostitutes police find there.

Some children leave home because of a conflict at school. Others run from institutions and foster care. However, most are trying to escape family problems, especially abuse. In fact, there has long been a known link between abuse and runaways. Previous research shows that in 1999, over 70% of runaways, or approximately 1,190,900 children, were in very real danger of physical or sexual abuse (NISMART-2, 2002). Approximately 21% were being abused at home, and over three thousand were dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Resources for Families, Counselors, and Extension Agents
There are many resources that can aid families and professionals as they try to deal with the issues associated with runaways. These resources are also of use to runaways, throwaways, or any child facing problems at home.

Hotlines
Some national 24-hour crisis hotlines are aimed solely at helping children in crisis. These include, but are not limited to:

•The National Runaway Switchboard (1-800-RUNAWAY; http://www.1800runaway.org)

•KidsPeace National Centers for Kids in Crisis (1-800-334-4KID; http://www.kidspeace.org)

•Youth Crisis Hotline (1-800-HIT-HOME; http://www.1800hithome.com)

These toll-free numbers can provide the caller with immediate counseling, answer legal questions, give needed information, and act as a referral service. The Web sites provide additional resources for teenagers in distress, teachers, advocates, and the community.

Home Free Program
Greyhound Lines, Inc. offers a program for runaways called “Home Free.” It provides young adults ages twelve to twenty with a free bus ticket home. Participants can use this service twice before being charged for the ticket. This program has helped nearly 10,000 children get back home. More information is available at their Web site: http://www.greyhound.com/company/contributions.shtml.

Project Safe Place
Project Safe Place, started by the YMCA in 1983, provides emergency help to children and teens who need assistance or feel afraid. A yellow and black sign that children are taught to recognize is placed outside of participating agencies, businesses, public libraries, and even in the side window of some city busses. Once the child is there, an employee will find a comfortable spot for the child to wait while he or she calls the local Safe Place contact phone number. Then a Safe Place volunteer will come to talk to the child and take them wherever they need to go, whether that is an agency for counseling or support, or a shelter to spend the night. Children learn about this program through school, ad campaigns, and word of mouth. Most schools also give contact information cards to their students. These cards are small enough to keep in a pocket or notebook. Project Safe Place is always looking for more agencies and businesses to take part. To learn more about becoming a part of Project Safe Place, or for more information on the services they provide, please visit http://www.safeplaceservices.org, or call (502) 635-3660.

Emergency Shelters
Emergency shelters provide youth in crisis with a safe place to spend the night. There are many different kinds of shelters, but all provide necessities like beds, food, and blankets. The one that services Alachua County (as well as ten other Florida counties) is Interface, part of the Corner Drug Store, a local nonprofit. Interface can house up to 40 children a night. It also offers its services to other at-risk teenagers, such as children who often skip school or who cannot get along with parents and adults. Clients are assigned a counselor, and a case worker is available. Shelters such as Interface often are connected to other services, such as drug rehab, family counseling, and independent living programs, to provide better care to their clients. Interface can be contacted 24 hours a day at their toll-free number (1-800-854-5377). Administration services can be reached at (352) 334-3800 during normal business hours. To find an emergency shelter outside of Alachua County, contact the area's division of the United Way, or call the local police department or social services agency for assistance.

Internet Resources
The Internet provides a wide variety of resources. They range from well-planned teaching curriculums like the ones posted by the National Runaway Switchboard on their Web site (http://www.1800runaway.com/educators/educators.html) to a “choose-your-own-adventure” type story (http://therunawaygame.com/index.html). The Teens in Trouble Web site (http://www.lv.psu.edu/jkl1/teens/runaways.html) is a good place to start, and Yahoo provides a directory with a list of some major resources (http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Cultures_and_Groups/Teenagers/Runaways/), but the best way to find information about a particular location or program is to do a Web search. Remember, though, that not all Web sites provide good, or even accurate, information. Sites posted by government agencies, university studies, and national nonprofit programs are usually much more reliable than other sites, but even they have their problems at times.


Things You Can Do in Your Community
There are many things that individuals can do in their community to help all who are faced with the problems and issues associated with runaway children.

Invest in Your Own Community
First, find out what resources are available to runaways and children in crisis in your area. Take a look at your local emergency shelter. Is it in good condition? Is it large enough to house all the runaways in the area? Maybe the building is big enough, but the services aren't addressing the real problem. A trained counselor can be just as important to these children's well-being as a warm bed and food to eat. If there is something lacking in the local emergency shelter, then local citizens, Extension, and other change agents can help. They can raise money to improve the shelter, and they can volunteer to help it serve its clients.

Team Up and Coordinate
If there aren't any programs or facilities for runaways or unwanted children in your town, then it's time to establish one. It is always best to work with people and organizations who already know the area. You might simply ask an existing organization if they can expand into your town. If that isn't an option, then consider teaming up with another agency that has the resources and expertise to help your cause. Local service providers, hospitals, churches, police, and civic organizations could all contribute.

Work With, Not Against, the Local Authorities
Every state has different laws regarding runaways. Every county handles runaways and homeless youth differently. Some police stations will actively search for runaways, while others do not have the time or resources to look for them. Some judges are strict when assigning punishment and might make the family pay fines or keep the incident on the child's permanent record. Other judges are much more easygoing. It is important to understand the policies your town has about runaways. Talk to officials before starting any program, and always work with police and the judicial system, not against them. This way, your efforts and theirs will help serve children who face difficult times, instead of creating a more stressful and confusing experience for them.

Be Proactive
Children most frequently run away because of conflict with their parents. Well-timed family counseling could stop thousands of youths from ever running away in the first place. There should be at least one organization in every area that can provide affordable family counseling to those in need. A proactive and supportive school system can also help stop children from running away. Teachers can address the issue of running from home in their classes. They should let children know that running away is not romantic, adventurous, or a safe way to deal with their problems. Children need to know that life on the streets is nothing short of grim. Students also need to know where to turn if they ever do run away, become throwaways, or feel like they need to run away. Most importantly, teachers should help students learn better ways to solve conflicts and always let their students know that someone is willing to listen and help them.

Be an Advocate for Change
If you think your community isn't doing enough about the runaway/throwaway issue, or if you think things should change on the national level, do not be afraid to speak out. Advocacy has been shown to work.

Fundraisers are a good way to start collecting money and increasing awareness. They are also fairly easy to organize. Showing your support and voting for government officials who address the problem of runaways is another way to help. Writing to your local representative or collecting signatures for a petition might influence future legislation. On a group level, you could organize an ad campaign or even hire a lobbyist. You could even organize your own demonstration at the state or national capitol. No matter how you decide to help, be ready to accept small victories and numerous setbacks. Being a child advocate is not a simple task, but if you think that the issues facing runaways and “throwaways” are worthy of more attention, you should consider becoming a voice for change.

References
Greyhound Lines, Inc. (2006). Charitable contributions. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.greyhound.com/company/contributions.shtml

Hammer, H., Finkelhor, D., & Sediak, A.J. (2002). Runaway/thrownaway children: National estimates and characteristics. (NISMART Bulletin Series NCJ 196469). Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/nismart2_runaway.pdf

Mitchell, F. (2003). “Can I come home?” The experiences of young runaways contacting the Message Home helpline [Electronic version]. Child and Family Social Work, 8, 3-11.

National Runaway Switchboard (2006). Homepage. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.nrscrisisline.org/

National Safe Place, YMCA. (2006). Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.safeplaceservices.org/

Sandt, J. (2006). Runaway lives: Personal stories and reflections by runaways and their families. Retrieved March 18, 2006, from http://www.lv.psu.edu/jkl1/runawaylives/index.html

Sandt, J.(2004). Teens in trouble: Runaways. Retrieved March 18, 2006, from http://www.lv.psu.edu/jkl1/teens/runaways.html

Spatz, C., Widom C., & Ames, M.A. (1994). Criminal consequences of childhood victimization [Electronic version]. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 303-317.

Stiffman, A.R. (1989). Physical and sexual abuse in runaway youths [Electronic version]. Child Abuse and Neglect, 13, 417-426.

Footnotes
1.
This document is FCS2254, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 2006. Reviewed: January 2009. Please visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.
Stacy Daniels and M. A. Brennan, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim

What an informative article you found.  All I need to do is use it for my paper on community policing programs. Darn it, I already turned it in. 

[Tracygirl]

*** FEATURED ARTICLES ***

Teen Prostitution in America

www.counterpunch.org/rosen08022008.html

It points-out that “the vast majority of youth involved in prostitution are girls, although some service providers see an increase in the number of boys.”  It notes that the average age most girls get involved in prostitution is at 14-years and the median age of involvement is 15.5-years.   However, it reports child prostitutes being picked up by police at only 11 or 12-years and even 9-years of age.  It stresses that child prostitutes come from throughout the country, inner-cities, suburbs and small-towns, and from all walks-of-life.  But it notes, “larger cities are more likely to have a higher proportion of boys involved in prostitution”.  [Department of Justice, NIS-MART, 2002]

There is a second, and apparently growing, form of prostitution that is apparently “voluntary” and involves the exchange of “favors” like dope, money or other presents.  A study by Jessica Edwards, of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, found that an estimated 650,000 American teenagers exchange sex for favors.  More surprising, more boys were likely to sell themselves than girls. 
MORE at link

[Tracygirl]

Mods can you please delete the above posting. I put the wrong article with the link, sorry

http://www.counterpunch.org/rosen08022008.html

Looking for Safe Harbor
Teen Prostitution in America
By DAVID ROSEN

It’s time for New York Governor David Paterson to sign the Safe Harbor Act for Exploited Children.  The enabling bills have already passed both the state Assembly (A.5258-c) and Senate (S.3175-c), and now it is on the governor’s proverbial desk for passage. 

The act will end the widespread practice of arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating those 15-years and younger charged with prostitution.  In addition, the Act requires the state to establish a variety of community-based services to help young people.  These services include: “housing, diagnostic assessment, individual case management, medical services including substance abuse services, counseling and therapeutic services, educational services including life skills services and planning services to successfully transition residents back to the community.”  This support is critical so that these children can reclaim their young lives.

Traditionally, zealous police and prosecutors have used the fear of jail to not only punish underage sex workers, but to coerce them into testifying against their pimp.  This has been an abusive and less-then-successful strategy that leads to the double victimization of the young person.  First,  underage youths are mistreated by parents, pimps and johns; then they are criminalized by the legal system ostensibly sworn to safeguard them.  The victimization of youthful prostitutes represents a failed policy that New York and other states should finally end. 

Governor Paterson, get out your pen and do the right thing.

* * *

Children and adolescents are a very vulnerable segment of the American population.   Estimates vary considerably as to the number of abused and runaway children throughout the country.  In 2006, the National Runaway Switchboard estimated that there were between 1.3 and 2.8 million runaway and homeless youths in America. 

Things seem to have only gotten worse over the last few years.  Four years earlier, in 2002, the Department of Justice estimated “MART” children, those missing, abused, runaway and throwaway, at 1.7 million.  Nearly three-quarters of these children were “endangered” from physical threats, drugs or sexual abuse while missing.  Of these endangered children, it further estimates that 27,300 (or 2%) had spent some period of time that they were missing with a sexually exploitative person and another 14,900 (or 1%) were sexually assaulted or someone attempted to sexually assault then while a runaway.

Teens and other young people flee their family for a variety of reasons.  Many feel or are truly abused by the parents and other family members and flee in self defense.  Others are rejected by their families due to personality difference, unacceptable sexual orientation or gender identity factors.  And still others are seduced by the apparent excitement of the bigger world that they feel is more attractive then their own experience. 

One can wonder how America’s eroding economy, especially the disproportionate toll it takes on poor and working-class families, will further intensify family dislocation, child flight and resulting suffering of all involved.

The number of children involved in prostitution is equally difficult to determine.  In part, this difficulty arises from two critical issues.  First, there is no standard definition of prostitution. Second, governmental statistics are based only on “reported” incidence and many of the sexual encounters of young people, whether coerced or “voluntary”, are not reported.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children defines prostitution as follows:

Prostitution of children, therefore, is defined as the sexual exploitation of a child for remuneration in cash or in-kind, usually but not always organized by an intermediary such as a procurer, family member, pimp, or madame.

It points-out that “the vast majority of youth involved in prostitution are girls, although some service providers see an increase in the number of boys.”  It notes that the average age most girls get involved in prostitution is at 14-years and the median age of involvement is 15.5-years.   However, it reports child prostitutes being picked up by police at only 11 or 12-years and even 9-years of age.  It stresses that child prostitutes come from throughout the country, inner-cities, suburbs and small-towns, and from all walks-of-life.  But it notes, “larger cities are more likely to have a higher proportion of boys involved in prostitution”.  [Department of Justice, NIS-MART, 2002]

Another aspect of this type of prostitution is what the U.S. Department of State identified as trafficking in persons.  As it reports, “it is estimated that 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually.”  Trafficking victims come predominately from Asia, Latin American and Eastern Europe.  Leading destinations for sex traffickers are New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.  [Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report, 2006]

There is a second, and apparently growing, form of prostitution that is apparently “voluntary” and involves the exchange of “favors” like dope, money or other presents.  A study by Jessica Edwards, of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, found that an estimated 650,000 American teenagers exchange sex for favors.  More surprising, more boys were likely to sell themselves than girls. 

She found that close to 4 percent of her sample of more than 13,000 U.S. teens she sampled in grades 7 through 12 reported having prostituted themselves.  More disturbing, about 15 percent of boys and 20 percent of girls who prostituted themselves reported that they had had a sexually transmitted infection, compared with 2 percent of boys and 4 percent of girls in the group who had never exchanged sex for money or drugs.  [Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2006 v. 82]

Youthful prostitution is a complex social phenomenon.   It involves both coerced and “voluntary” exchange of sexual favors for something of value.  Such prostitution can involve either a young person with an adult (including a parent as a pimp) or another youth.  However played out, child prostitution remains an exploitative relation.

* * *

Police arrest of child prostitutes, traffickers and johns often capture media attention.  A recent headline grabber involved the 55-year-old billionaire money manager, Jeffrey Epstein, who received an 18-month sentence for hiring underage Palm Beach, FL, girls for erotic massages and sex; he was also required to register as a sex offender.

Between June 18th and 23rd, the FBI undertook a nationwide crack-down on reported child sex traffickers.  Initiated as a publicity stunt to mark the fifth anniversary of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, the FBI Crimes Against Children Unit coordinated a national campaign that lead to “the arrest of 356 individuals and the recovery of 21 children”.  The effort took place in 16 cities across the country, from Boston to Miami to San Francisco and from Atlantic City to Detroit to Kansas. 

The Innocence Lost program was launched in 2003 and claims that, as of June 2008, it has “rescued” more than 400 child victims and led to the conviction of 308 individuals who exploited children through prostitution.

Police busts of prostitution rings involving underage children are reported by local media almost daily.  These stories suggest the scope of what is an epidemic crisis of American family life. 

A recent episode in New York involving a Mexican-American mother and her sons who rang a trafficiing ring in Queens illustrates the limits of such reporting.  While it captured front-page notoriety, far less attention was given to the estimated 5,000 teen sex workers throughout the city and the more than 100 underage prostitutes arrested in Queens in 2007.

Cities across the country are attempting to deal with the explosive growth of child and youth prostitutes.  In New York, for example, a pilot program, Operation Guardian, was set up in 2005 through the Queens DA's office.  It provides twenty-four hour support along with a residential placement facility providing shelter and services to young people victims of commercial sexual exploitation. 

In Nevada, youthful repeat runaways and probation violators are often sent to the state reformatory in Caliente, about 140 miles north of Las Vegas.  However, one Las Vegas family court judge, William Voy, decries the fate of child sex workers, "These girls are victims, and should be treated as such," and he often sends them to a local group safe house.  Voy warns that the city doesn't have nearly enough services to help these kids.

* * *

New York and other states continue to prosecute exploited child sex workers.  The Safe Harbor Act is intended to end this practice.  However, the act, and similar ones in California and Washington, has a number of significant limitations that will likely go unaddressed if Governor Paterson signs the bill.

First, the act contradicts one critical feature of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.  Under the federal law, sex trafficking is defined as commercial sex act that is induced by force, fraud, or coercion and the person under 18-years is coerced into engaging in such behavior.  The proposed New York law is designed to assist young people 15-years and younger.  It thus not only fails to meet federal trafficking requirements, but also does not comply with New York State age-of-consent laws that specify sexual consent at 17-years.

Second, the helpful services to be offered exploited young people would be provided whether they are “accessed voluntarily, as a condition of an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal issued in criminal court.”  The kids picked up in a prostitution bust would be forced to accept state services whether they want them or not.  This might be the only way to assist some truly troubled kids.  But without strengthening "person in need of supervision" (PINS) protections, the young person might feel that they do not have ability to advocate for their own interests.  Thus, the intervention will only aggregate the sense of betrayal that drove the kid to the streets in the first place. 

As Elizabeth Anne Wood argues on her valuable blog, “Sex in the Public Square”: “This bill makes an important step in the direction of humane treatment for young people in desperate circumstances, but we need to continue to work to solve the problems that lead teens to run away in the first place.”

Wood and others make painfully clear, without addressing the underlying crisis resulting from the ongoing disintegration of the American family, the flood of lost and abused children will likely only increase.  As with America’s failing health-care system, without a strong preventive and interventionist approach, one that supports and respects those in need, the consequence and not the cause of the crisis of child sex exploitation will never be addressed.

David Rosen can be reached at drosen@ix.netcom.com

 

 

[Tracygirl]

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