NCJ Number
37140
Editor(s)
R MEDICO
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SIX YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE OR WERE RUNAWAYS RELATE THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN CRISIS CENTERS, JUVENILE COURT, YOUTH HOMES, AND ON THE STREETS.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO REVELATIONS BY THE RUNAWAYS THEMSELVES, VARIOUS PERSONNEL FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS ARE INTERVIEWED. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD IN CHICAGO DESCRIBES THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE WHICH INCLUDE TEMPORARY HOUSING, LEGAL AID, AND YOUTH ADVOCACY. THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL YOUTH ALTERNATIVES SEES YOUTH AS THE VICTIM OF THE RUNAWAY PROBLEM AND FEELS THAT INCARCERATION WILL NOT STOP RUNAWAYS. A COUPLE OF TYPICAL CASES HANDLED BY THE DETROIT POLICE YOUTH BUREAU ARE REVIEWED. ONE YOUNG RUNAWAY ADVISES TROUBLED YOUTH TO FIRST TRY AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS AND PROBLEMS TO THEIR PARENTS BEFORE RUNNING AWAY, BUT GOES ON TO SAY THAT IF THIS ATTEMPT ACHIEVES NO RESULTS, THEN THE YOUTH HAS A RIGHT TO RUN AWAY.