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Youth at Risk Understanding Runaway and Exploited Youth

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Youth at Risk Understanding Runaway and Exploited Youth If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. NATIONAL CENTER FOR )IISSINC. I~][I"J()I'I'I~I) ----'----' CHI L D R E N Youth at Risk Understanding Runaway and Exploited Youth In cooperation with School a/Nursing University a/Pennsylvania ,~~-~---- -------- The National Center for Missing and Exploited Clilldren The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children serves as a clearinghouse of information on missing or exploited children; provides technical assistance to citizens and law-enforcement agencies; offers training programs to schools and law-enforcement; distrib­ utes photos and descriptions of missing children nationwide; coordinates a Speakers Bu­ reau; and provides information and advice on effective state legislation to ensure the safety and protection of children. A tol/-free telephone line is open for those who have information that could lead to the location and recovery of a missing child: 1-800-843-5678. (Washington, D.C., residents will call a local number: 634-9836.) The TOD hotline (for the deaf) is 1-800-826-7653. The 15 toll-free hotlines cover Canada as well as the United States. A number of publications, listed here, are available by writing the National Center at the address below. o Parental KidnGpping-a handbook for parents o Selected State Legislation-state laws to protect children o Summmy of Selected State Legislation-a summary of the above o Investigators Guide to Missing Child Cases-a handbook for law-enforcement officers locating missing children o Child Molesters: A Behavioral Allalysis-a handbook for law-enforcement officers investigating cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse o Child Protection Priorities in State Legislation-seven legislative priorities to prevent child victimization o Child Protection-safety and precaution tips o Just iiz Case . .. }Our Child Is Missing-preparation and action for parents o Just in Case . .. }Our Child Is Sexually Abused or Exploited-guidelines for parents o Just ill Case . .. }Our Child Is a Runaway-includes "missing poster" format o Jllst ill Case . .. You Need a Babysitter-brochure for parents o Jllst ill Case . .. }Ou Are Considering Family Separation-protecting against parental kidnapping o For Camp Coullselors-detecting child sexual exploitation o Support services in your state o Informational brochure TM National Center for Misshtg and Exploited Children 1835 K Sh'Cet, N. w., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20006 :, 9-86-006 Contents Foreword A Message to the Reader - 1. Adolescents at Risk - 2. Background and Life Situation of the Runaway II 3. Causes of Running 4. Helping the Runaway s. CreaHng a Positive Future for the Runaway 6. A Message for Parents References Appendix - Missing Poster Format 104970 U.S. Department of Justice Nationnllnstltute of Justice I ()L{ Cf70 This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originatlng it. Points of view or opinions stated In this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice. Permission to reproduce this co~ material has been granted by' Public Danain/NIJ/OJJDP u.s. Department of Justice to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permis­ sion of the ~t owner. Youth at Risk ! Understanding Runaway and Exploited Youth September 1986 Ann Wolbert Burgess, R.N., D.N.Sc. van Ameringen Professor of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania National Center for Missing & Exploited Children --------------~---- Research Pl-oject Staff Ann W. Burgess, R.N., D.N.Sc. Karen Woelfel van Ameringen Professor of Psychiatric Mental Editorial Assistant, Department of Health and Health Nursing Hospitals University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Boston, Massachusetts Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Judith Wood Howe, M.S., A.T.R. Director, Therapeutic Arts Program, Department Marieanne L. Clark, M.S. of Psychiatry Editor, Department of Health and Hospitals The Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts The authors wish to acknowledge Mary McConville, Peter Gaccione, M.A. Michael Faye, and Chad Hanna of Under-21, To­ Computer Programet; Department of Health and ronto, Canada, for their assistance in data collec­ Hospitals tion. Boston, Massachusetts The authors wish to thank the following for their contributions to Youth at Risk: Carol R. Hartman, R.N., D.N.Sc. June P. Bucy, D.H.L. Associate Professor and Coordinator of Graduate Executive Director Program in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing National Network of Runaway and Youth Services Boston College School of Nursing Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Robert O. Heck Program Manager Mark-David Janus, C.S.P. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Chaplain, St. Thomas Aquinas University Center Prevention University of Connecticut U.S. Department of Justice . Storrs, Connecticut John B. Rabun, Jr. Deputy Director, Technical Assistance Arlene McCormack, Ph.D. National Centerfor Missing and Exploited Children Assistant Professor of Sociology Michelle P. Spring University of Lowell Publications Specialist Lowell, Massachusetts National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Prepared und')!' Cooperative Agreement I/S6-MC-CX-KOO3 from Point, of view 01' opinions in this book are those of the authors and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office do not necessadly represent the official position or policies of the of Justice Assistance. Research. and Swtistics, U.S. Department U.S. Department of Justice. of Justice. Support for data analysis was provided from Grant #84-JN-AX­ Complete study findings witl be published ill RUlIlIillg for Tlteir KOIO from the Officc cfJuvcnile Justice and Delinquency Preven­ Uws: Youth ill Turmoil. by Mark-DaVId Janus, Arlene McCor­ tion, Office of Justice Assistance. Research, and Statistics, U.S. mack. Ann W. Burgess, and Carol R. Hartman (Lexington, Mas­ Dcpartmcnt of Justice. sachusetts: Lexington Books. 1987). Contents Foreword v A Message to the Reader vii 1. Adolescents at Risk 1 AIIII W. Burgess. Carol R. HClrIIl/ClII. Arlelle McCormClck Definitions of Terms 2 How Many Runaways? 3 The Runaway's Public Image 3 Running Away and Exploitation 5 The System's Response to Runaway Youth 5 A New Look at Runaway Youth 6 2. Background and Life Situation of the Runaway 9 ArIel/I! McCormack. Mark-David JOIIUS. AI/II W. Burgess Profile of the Group Studied 9 Life at Home 10 Abuse History 11 The Overall Profile 11 .A Case History 13 Table 1: Major Study Findings 13 3. Causes of Running 15 Carol R. HClrtIllClII. AI/II W. Burgess. Arlenl! McCorllltlck Patterns of Running 15 Reasons for Running 15 Where to Run? 16 Consequences of Running 17 L-.~ ___________~ __~~~~ ___ ~~ ____~ _____ _ The Cycle of Running 17 A Case History 17 Table 2: Patterns of Running 19 4. Helping the Runaway 21 Ann W. Burgess. Carol R. Harlmall, Judith A. Wood Intervention Considerations 21 Levels of Intervention 22 Establishing Communication 23 Drawings as Assessment Tools 2S Table 3: Sample Interview Questions 27 S. Creating a Positive Future for the Runaway 29 Carol R. HurtmulI, AliI! W Burgess. MCll'k-Duvid JWIlIS Understanding the Problem 29 Public Recog11ition of the Problem 30 Reorganizing Agency Relationships 30 Research and Program Evaluation 31 6. A Message fot· Parents 33 If Your Child Runs Away 33 When Your Child Returns Home 34 Preparation ... Just in Case 3S Warning Signs of Running Away 35 References 37 Appendix 1. Cycle of Violence 39 2. Sexual Victimization of Children 41 3. Paths and Patterns of Runaway Youths 43 Missing Poster Format 4S Foreword Growing public awareness of the issue of victimization has been accompanied by increases in both the reporting and estimates of sexual abuse. A poll in the Los Angeles Times (August 25, 1985) reported that 27 percent of the women and 16 percent of the men questioned said that they had been sexually molested as children. Compared to the general population, much higher tates of childhood sexual abuse are noted in studies of specific populations-in particular, runaways. In light of a strong nationwide concern for sexually exploited children, a team of researchers set abOlli: to study the impact of sexual victimization in a runaway population as one way to advance the understanding of the causes and consequences of runaway behavior. Furthermore, the cycle of violence (see Appendix, page 39) now appears as beginning with child abuse within the family and extending to missing child episodes that present the arena for exploitation of the child. With maturation, the adult-abused as a child-often becomes the abuser or exploiter. The study of runaway youth began with these questions: • Why do urban adolescents run away from home? II What is the role of sexual abuse in the life histories of runaways? • Why do runaways return home? Data had revealed that multiple abuses often characterize the family environments of these runaways, and an important question is what is the youth's attachment to the abusive environment. In reviewing the data, the researchers tried to explore the nature of the runaway's reaction to the abusive environment rather than simply to categorize the runaway as a "loser." The actual data indicate that runaways are often avoidant, resisters, confused in their thinking, believe control is in the hands of others, and ate unwilling and unable to accomodate unrealistic and rigid family expectations. v The parents of many of the youths studied hold unreasonably high expectations of their children-behavior that often has its origins in the parents' own personal frusttations. To remain optimistic about the future of our nation's youth, we must confront the many reasons underlying runaway behavior. The answer seems straightforward: There are often inadequacies in the home, the school, and the community. The youth must still be held accountable, howevet: But the difficult question remains: How do we develop reasonable accountability in both? This book will be of interest to a wide range of professionals as well as parents.
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