ABSTRACT
Probably more has been written about the victimization of homeless and runaway adolescents than any other aspect of their lives. High rates of victimization among homeless adolescents have been reported for more than 2 decades (e.g., Janus, Burgess, & McCormack, 1987; Kufeldt & Nimmo, 1987; Saltonstall, 1984; Silbert & Pines, 1981; Pennbridge, Yates, David, & MacKenzie, 1990). Runaways leave home largely as a consequence of overt emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in families of origin or as victims of neglect in disorganized families where they have lacked basic needs and adult monitoring and support. Once on their own, because of their age and lifestyle exposure they are highly vulnerable to subsequent personal victimization on the streets (Kipke, Simon, Montgomery, Unger, & Iverson, 1997; Whitbeck, Hoyt, Yoder, Cauce, & Paradise, 2001).
