Who are street-involved youth?
Over one-half of street-involved youth in Canada are former children in care. With few exceptions, the others are adolescents who have run from, or been told to leave, homes in which parents have been physically, sexually or emotionally abusive or neglectful. Lacking in family, social supports, financial resources, job skills, and education, and bearing the scars of childhood abuse, street-involved youth are vulnerable to survival strategies that place them at high risk for further rights violations. To support themselves, many street-involved youth engage in panhandling, drug trafficking, theft, prostitution, or survival sex (offering sex in exchange for food or shelter). For companionship, support, and tutelage on surviving street life, some join gangs. Each of these activities places the child at risk of criminality. Each of these activities also raises the risk of further victimization. In one study conducted in Toronto, 82% of street-involved youth reported being a victim of crime
