It is claimed that many incidences of children running away from home and residential care involve issues around violence, bullying and child abuse and neglect. Surveys show that between 14 and 20% of children run away from home for at least one night and that 2% run away 10 times or more from home or a care setting. The potential reasons for running away are discussed together with the increased possibility for further victimization, delinquency and criminal behaviour. Four `streetwork projects' that provide information and support to young runaways in the UK are described and their limitations discussed. It is proposed that counselling should be a part of intervention with street children and that trained counsellors/psychotherapists should be available free to these young people with social and emotional diculties outside the usual health/social service provision
Street Children and Crime in the UK: A Case of Abuse and Neglect
Type
Summary
Citation
Browne, K., & Falshaw, L. (1998). Street children and crime in the UK: A case of abuse and neglect. Child Abuse Review, 7(4), 241-253.