ABSTRACT
This chapter explains responses that are consistent with children's rights, and describes some models for action that have been found useful in different places. It includes all those children who require direct support of various kinds, in addition to, or in place of, the support that might be funnelled through their families or communities. The chapter considers the broader range of supports that children and adolescents may need when they live a large part of their lives in the public domain. Many of these children may have chosen their life on the street, but only as an alternative to realities which can include extreme poverty, disintegrating families and high levels of abuse. A street worker in Guatemala estimates that 75 to 80 per cent of the children she deals with have been sexually or physically abused. Reaching out to street children requires sensitive, non-judgement al professionals who can serve as link to the range of services that children may need.
