to be outraged that even though 100,000 children run away....

[Skillbo]

each year in the UK, there are currently only 9 beds across the whole of the UK where they can find refuge.

It is illegal in the UK for children under 16 to stay at regular hostels without their parents permission and so for the large majority, these dedicated beds are the only safe place they can go to...

Two thirds of these children aren't even reported as missing - there are lots of other awful stats I could include but it just makes depressing reading..

Please help to protect and increase services to these children by signing this online petition:

www.aviva.co.uk/street-to-school/form/sign-the-petition

I know this isn't technically an AIBU topic as I would like to think we'll all be outraged - I just know this is a good place to get debate started and some action.

THANKS

I have signed.

YANBU - it is a shocking situation and one which deserves a lot more publicity.

Yanbu at all.

So the 9 beds where they can find "refuge" are legal to "house" minors?

The charities which offer these beds go through rigorous, ongoing checks to ensure they remain a safe haven - one of the reasons they are so limited is the cost to set them up and maintain them. They are also self-referral so the children don't need to go through the council or SS to gain access.

You can get a bit more detail about them here:

www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/30/04/2010/114406/refuges-for-young-runaways.htm

This article is slightly out of date as it references 5 beds which was the position last year so it has improved, but nowhere near enough!!

And they report the minors to social services/local police?

Pretty sure they don't involve the police but I'm not sure about SS - think they can then liase with the right authorities to get them somewhere safe where they can look at their options...

I was lucky enough to never need to use somewhere like this but really do think there should be more support for vulnerable children and those at risk...

Shamelessly going to bump this back to the top!