Yesterday I pledged my support for the 100,000 children and young people who go missing every year, by signing a 7ft replica running shoe in Parliament! The shoe is part of a campaign by The Children’s Society – “Still Running “- with backing from the English Coalition of charities working with runaway children, calling for a national policy for runaway support for under 16s. The running shoe will be presented to Downing Street later in the coming weeks.
Today’s Pledge Day comes hot on the heels of two days of Parliamentary Hearings last week, which brought together representatives from the police, local authorities and the voluntary sector, as well as young people. The hearings saw a panel of MPs take evidence from a range of specialists to identify the problems and dangers facing children in the UK who run away or go missing. Following the hearings, the panel will be making recommendations to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
Research carried out by The Children’s Society, revealed that most of the 100,000 children who run away from home or care every year, do so because of problems at home, with girls age 14 -15 the group most likely to run. Runaways employ risky strategies to survive, with one in six sleeping rough and one in twelve hurt or harmed. Whilst most don't run far from home, many end up sofa surfing or sleeping in stranger’s houses.
Today’s Pledge Day comes hot on the heels of two days of Parliamentary Hearings last week, which brought together representatives from the police, local authorities and the voluntary sector, as well as young people. The hearings saw a panel of MPs take evidence from a range of specialists to identify the problems and dangers facing children in the UK who run away or go missing. Following the hearings, the panel will be making recommendations to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
Research carried out by The Children’s Society, revealed that most of the 100,000 children who run away from home or care every year, do so because of problems at home, with girls age 14 -15 the group most likely to run. Runaways employ risky strategies to survive, with one in six sleeping rough and one in twelve hurt or harmed. Whilst most don't run far from home, many end up sofa surfing or sleeping in stranger’s houses.
I'm delighted to support this campaign. Runaway children need all of our help and support, and it is important to keep this issue in the spotlight.
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