Callers to National Runaway Switchboard are Getting Younger

Fastest Growing Group is Under 12

CHICAGO, (April 8, 2008) – A statistical analysis of crisis calls to the National Runaway Switchboard’s (NRS) 1-800-RUNAWAY hotline for the period 2000-2007 shows that the number of callers under 12 in 2007 was up 172 percent over 2000 and that the age groups of 12 and 13 also increased significantly. Meanwhile, among crisis callers, there was a decrease in the number of callers relying on friends and relatives as a means of survival and significant increases in the number turning to panhandling (+51 percent) prostitution (+29 percent) and selling drugs (+59 percent).

Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director, said that while the sample size in some of the “means-of-survival” categories did not meet the requirements of a “95 percent confidence interval,” the findings were disturbing nevertheless.

“They suggest that a significant number of runaways are scrambling to survive on their own,” she said. “And with between 1.6 to 2.8 million young people running away each year, that adds up to a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.”

Blaha noted, however, that the disturbing findings in the analysis were mitigated at least in part by other findings that suggest progress is being made.

“While there has been an increase in the number of crisis callers who have been on the street for one to three days (+17 percent) and one to four weeks (+93 percent), there has also been a 67 percent increase in the number of young people calling from home,” she said. “This reinforces the conclusion that NRS is reaching more youth before they act on their thoughts of running away.”

NRS serves as a federally-designated national communication and support system for homeless and runaway youth. With the support of more than 150 trained volunteers, it handles over 100,000 calls annually providing crisis intervention, referrals to support resources and education and prevention services to youth and families nationwide 24-hours a day.

The NRS statistical analysis was conducted by an independent research consultant affiliated with the University of Illinois-Chicago. Other key findings include:
• The majority of crisis calls to NRS in 2007 came from females (75 percent of the total); however, there was a 27 percent increase in the number of males calling NRS over the past eight years versus a 17 percent increase in the number of females calling in the same period. This shows that male crisis calls to NRS are increasing more rapidly than female crisis calls and that the numbers may equalize over time if the trend continues.
• The number of homeless youth calling NRS, while still a small absolute percentage of total crisis calls in 2007 at five percent, has increased more than 200 percent since 2000. It is probable that this trend is connected to the increase in calls coming from youth 18 to 21 years old (NRS defines youth as young people up to 21 years old. Minor youth are considered runaways; youth 18-21 years old are considered homeless).
• Despite the increase in the number of crisis callers turning to panhandling or illegal activities to survive, callers relying on friends and relatives remain the majority (51 percent).
• The most commonly reported crisis-caller problem in 2007 was family dynamics (28 percent). Meanwhile, there has been a significant increase in the number of crisis callers reporting neglect or physical, verbal and sexual abuse.
• The majority of crisis callers to NRS in 2007 were young people calling about themselves (50 percent); however, there were significant increases in the number of calls from the youth’s friends, relatives and non-relative adults.

Methodology
For this trend report, crisis call records for the period 2000-2007 were analyzed. Caller data categories were matched across eight years. Absolute and percentage change across the years was calculated. The data was analyzed using Chi Square Statistical Analysis to determine statistical significance using a confidence interval of 95 percent or above. The sample size of the categories varies due to the fact that not all categories are pertinent to providing crisis intervention and therefore will not be answered in every crisis call.

To view the full report and to learn more about NRS, visit www.1800RUNAWAY.org.

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