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Young people run away or go missing from home and school for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it's just for a few hours or overnight, and sometimes it can be for longer.
You may feel the need to escape from trouble, hassle or something you are worried about. You may feel bored and want to fit in and hang out with friends. Or you might feel that no one cares that no one would be bothered if you went missing.
Whatever the reason, the tragic fact is that children and young people who go missing or absent are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, violent crime, gang exploitation, and drug and alcohol misuse.
Children who go missing often head to town centres and parks where they mix with other young people to hang out and in some cases experiment with, drugs and 'legal highs'. Child abusers and other criminals deliberately target such places to take advantage of these vulnerable young people.
All of these risks mean it can be really dangerous if you run away - whether it's bunking off school for a few hours or disappearing from home for a few days. It is important to stay safe and be able to recognise what child sexual exploitation is and how to spot the signs.
There's some great advice on Missing People (opens new window) if you are thinking of running away, or have done in the past. Missing People runs a free helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's free to call or text and is totally confidential. Call or text 116 000, or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk.
They can listen and help you work out what you want to do next
They can get a message home for you, set up a three-way call to help you contact someone you need to speak to, or support you if you're ready to come home
They are not the police or social services and will not make you go home
If you're worried that you or someone you know has been sexually exploited, get help from your local child sexual exploitation team.
If you come back home after running away and you have been reported missing, the police should carry out a 'safe and well' check on you. This is to make sure that you haven't suffered any harm or been a victim of crime. They may also ask who you have been with and what you have been doing. The police have specially trained staff to support you and can put you in touch with other teams to help you with any issues or problems at home that you may be having.
Wiltshire Council will also offer you a 'return home' interview. This will be to find out more about why you went missing or ran away and to see if you need any help and support to make sure you stay safe from harm.
Not all young people who go missing are reported missing. This leaves them vulnerable to abuse. Trust your instincts - if you are worried your child is at risk, contact the police. More advice and information for parents.
Not all children who are at risk from child sexual exploitation live in children's homes or foster care - grooming and exploitation can take place in a variety of circumstances.
Listen to them when they talk about their concerns, feelings and difficulties
Respect their emotional responses in every situation
Encourage them to succeed and work through their differences and struggles
Support your child's need to gain independence and develop appropriate relationships with others
Create opportunities for them to learn how to make positive decisions in their lives
Teach your children to be accountable for their actions
Protect them from feelings of loneliness and isolation
Provide a place of safety for your children, both emotionally and physically
Defend them openly against harassment or verbal abuse of any kind
Make your home a place of trust and support that meets their needs
Before contacting the police:
Check the bedroom and any other place where your child might be in the house or building
Check the surrounding area - gardens, sheds, garages etc
Check with your child's friends, school, work, neighbours, relatives or anyone else who may know where they are. Ask them to tell you straight away if they hear from your child.
Try to get hold of your child by phone, text or social networking sites such as Snapchat and Facebook.
If you know where your child is and you are concerned for their safety (e.g. they are at a place where you suspect criminal activity is taking place) you can ask the police to carry out a welfare check to make sure they are safe.
To report your child missing, call the police on 999 or 101, or Wiltshire Police: Contact us (opens new window). You don't have to wait 24 hours, you can report your child missing straight away.
Thankfully, most children who run away return of their own accord. However, this doesn't mean they haven't been put at risk from harm while they were away. It also doesn't mean that they won't go missing or run away again.
Contact the police if you suspect that a crime has been committed against your child.
Show your child that you are happy to have them back home. Try to stay calm, rather than get angry, tell them that you love them and will help them solve any problems they have.
