Reposted with permission from Missing Children's Network, Quebec
Every day in Quebec, on average, 22 children are reported missing to police authorities. The majority of these children are runaways – youngsters between the ages of 12-17 who flee their home or youth centre for various reasons. These may include the need to rebel, exert their independence or escape an environment of abuse, with females accounting for nearly 60% of all runaway reports. Thankfully, over 88 % of these children are located and returned home safely within the first week of their disappearance.
Running away can be a frightening experience for both the child and his family. The child becomes vulnerable as soon as he leaves home – potentially falling victim to substance abuse, theft, crime, homelessness and sexual exploitation. The longer a teenager is away from his home, the greater his risks are of falling victim to acts of aggression and exploitation. In the face of this reality, many families may feel guilty, depressed or even paralyzed by fear and may delay seeking the necessary support and assistance required. Often, they do not know where to turn to for help.
The Missing Children’s Network is an invaluable resource for parents of teenagers who are at risk of running and can provide parents with the tools that will enable them to support their teen throughout this tumultuous period. Children who run away have usually planned to do so in advance and are well prepared, therefore, it is important to recognize the early signs. It is also important to keep in mind that a youngster may also show several warning signs without necessarily planning to run away. It is imperative to always listen to what your child has to say! We recommend that you seek help from appropriate resources rather than letting the situation deteriorate.