Characteristics between Runaways and Throwaways teens

The vulnerable children and youth run from families in which there is dysfunction and conflict – domestic violence, sexual or physical child abuse, addiction – only to find that these same situations play out on the streets and result in further victimization.  The combination of early emotional and psychological problems that result from sexual abuse and the high-risk environment in which street youth interact results in an increased risk for sexual victimization. Thirty percent of shelter youth and 70% of street youth are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Over 162,000 homeless youth are estimated to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation in the US.

The thrownaway teenagers are forced to leave their home because their family don't want them. They dont have election, have been abandoned or expulsed of their homes for this reason they have to live in the streets, but this not was a decision of them, was of their parents.

The sexual abuse that they have experienced will likely increase some youths’ chances of being re-victimized.” Too often and too soon these youth are faced with the reality of survival.

Read more in: http://www.nrcdv.org/rhydvtoolkit/each-field/homeless-youth/define.html