A study of a national sample of American children found that over the past year 60 percent were exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in their homes, schools, and communities. Almost 40 percent of American children were direct victims of 2 or more violent acts, and 1 in 10 were victims of violence 5 or more times. Children are more likely to be exposed to violence and crime than adults. Almost 1 in 10 American children saw one family member assault another family member, and more than 25 percent had been exposed to family violence during their life (Finkelhor et al., 2009).
Children are more likely to be exposed to violence and crime than adults, and there is a direct, well documented link between children experiencing violence and being pushed out of their homes or forced to flee, often leading to youth homelessness. Family dysfunction, specifically parental neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, is the primary cause of youth running away or being forced to leave. (National Conference of State Legislature – AI review).
