Rough sleepers were at greatest risk

Thousands of child runaways are being needlessly exposed to sexual abuse and violence, according to the biggest ever UK survey of why people go missing.

One in three young people said they had slept at a strangers' house when they were away, while one in eight had been physically hurt and one in nine sexually assaulted.

The report, by the University of York and the National Missing Persons Helpline, said 77,000 under-16s left home for the first time each year and many were unaware of where to turn for help.

The helpline is calling for better support for the families of those who go missing and a national network of emergency accommodation centres for children who leave home.

Only one such centre exists at present, in London, providing six beds.

Runaways: one mother's experience Click for full story

The report authors said the estimated 210,000 people of all ages who go missing each year need better information, while police, voluntary groups and local authorities must do more to share their details.

Report co-author Nina Biehal said: "Going missing entails serious costs both to the missing person and to those they leave behind, while the social costs of doing nothing about this issue may be considerable."

Two thousand adults and children who had gone missing were questioned for the study.

Those found to have been at greatest risk were the 40% who had slept rough while they were away from home.

Four fifths of those who slept rough said they had been in danger at some point, as did two thirds of those who had stayed in a hostel.

Among those who slept at strangers' homes, one young woman said: "Some nights I stayed at some boys' houses because it was better than sleeping on the streets.

"After I was sexually assaulted it didn't matter what I had to do to get off the streets - I'd been forced to do it before, it didn't make any difference."

'Too late'

Despite the risks faced nearly half of those who went missing had not attempted to find help.

Report calls for: National network of emergency shelters More information to missing people and families Mediation for families with problems Better support for runaways Support for those who return home Improved awareness by authorities and voluntary sector Better information sharing

Many of the children said that they did not know which organisations could offer assistance.

Others feared the services would try to return them to the lives they had left behind.

A large number said they may never have gone missing at all if communication had been better in their family, or if outside counselling or mediation was available.

One missing person involved in the study said: "Running away never helps people solve their problems.

"I realised that when it was too late... If you meet the right people you will be OK, like I was, but most of the time you end up sleeping rough."