Youth at Risk : Understanding Runaway and Exploited Youth / Ann Wolbert Burgess.

This document describes a study of runaways (N=149) at a Toronto, Canada shelter which examined why urban adolescents run away from home; the role of sexual abuse in the life histories of runaways; and why runaways return home. The report begins with a discussion about adolescents at risk, with a definition of terms, numbers of runaways, and a new look at runaway youth. The second chapter describes major study findings about the adolescents examined, including life at home, abuse history, and an overall profile. A case study is included. The third chapter discusses patterns, reasons, consequences, and cycles of running. Three aspects of providing help if the cycle of running is to be broken and the youth directed toward achievement are discussed: (1) intervention considerations; (2) levels of intervention for short-term programs; and (3) the use of drawings as an interview and assessment technique. Creating a positive future for the runaway is the topic of the fifth chapter, which focuses on understanding the problem, public recognition of the problem, reorganizing agency relationships, and research and program evaluation. The final chapter provides advice to parents whose children have run away and advises all parents to be prepared. (ABL)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.