Teenagers will be offered a hideaway for the first time

The location of the centre is being kept a closely guarded secret by the organisation which runs it, the Aberlour Childcare Trust.

But the trust has decided to reveal its existence through a promotional video. It wants children, some as young as 11, to know there is a safe haven where they can escape from physical and sexual abuses in the home.

Until now, while there has been some help for them, there has not been a dedicated refuge for them to escape to.

Provision for setting up refuges for teenagers exists in the Children Scotland Act.

As many as one in nine youngsters run away before they are 16 and 28% sleep rough, which volunteers describe as "very dangerous".

The refuge has been set up by the voluntary sector because many families are deeply suspicious of social workers and may be more willing to trust people working for a charity.

It's good that the refuge is at a secret location because nobody is going to find you and bully you into going back Runaway

The hideaway, which promises anonymity and confidentiality, has space for three runaways and they can only stay in the house for seven days at a time to receive help and support.

One said: "They're helping me make choices and plans that will mean things will be calm and I'll be in control again and safe."

Another added: "It's good that the refuge is at a secret location because you're not afraid that anyone is going to come and find you and bully you into going back when you're not ready to."

Michelle, 21, said: "I started running away when I was about 12. I didn't have anywhere to go, so I used to walk about the streets.

"I didn't take things with me, like money - I wasn't prepared for anything. I would just run on the spur of the moment, so I'd have to start shoplifting or rely on people I met on the streets for food and essentials."

The refuge's Brian Evans said: "It's a small, ordinary house. It's a comfortable place for young people to come to and feel safe and get some time out away from their difficulties so they can make plans and get support so they can be safe."

The project has the backing of Strathclyde Police.

Social worker suspicion

Officers are said to be frustrated at having to return frightened children to homes where they fear further abuse.

Inspector Tom Halbert said: "The young child has to be returned to a responsible adult.

"In many cases I'm quite sure we're returning them to a home where there is something not quite right, whether it is just a breakdown in communication or whether there is something more serious happening."

The safe haven scheme also has the support of the children's commissioner in Scotland, who hopes that the small-scale project could become a model for the rest of the country.

Kathleen Marshall said: "The voluntary sector has got a certain attraction in that people will see it as being more independent.

"It will be perhaps less scary than actually going to social work which some people might be afraid of."