Experiences

What happens to kids who leave home

Some common runaway experiences:

going from friend to friend or relative to relative—not belonging anywhere
sleeping in bushes, cars, abandoned buildings
missing or skipping school, eventually dropping out
being hungry, sometimes not eating for days
trying to find a job with no consistent home for showering and washing clothes
if working, not earning enough to live independently—plus, most landlords will not rent to juveniles
hanging out more and linking with other street kids
having belongings stolen, including identification
panhandling and stealing
using drugs and alcohol, often excessively
having sex with someone for a meal or a place to stay which may lead to multiple sex partners or prostitution for money
dealing drugs
becoming ill or getting injured as a result of living on the street, for example skin diseases, upper respiratory infections, blistering and infection from sun exposure, sexually transmitted diseases, and trauma or wounds from fights
getting arrested