Young people can get more information by checking out the 'talk pages'. Click the button below.

Young people

So what's it like out there?

Young people who have been missing in Gloucestershire talked about their experience. Here’s what they said:

What was making you unhappy?

'I was being bullied at school. My brother was hitting me. My step mum always blamed me for everything - she was always getting at me. I was treated differently to brothers and sisters - it wasn’t fair'.

What made you decide to run away?

'I was constantly grounded - I ran to be with my friends. I kept trying to put things right at home and talk about things, but whatever I did was wrong - in the end I just got fed up. My offers of help would be thrown back in my face. I always thought I was the odd one out – I was fed up with being treated differently'.

Why did you feel running away was your only choice?

'I figured if I couldn’t get on with my own family, there was no point in staying around. Whatever I tried didn’t work – I just couldn’t cope with what was going on. There was no point in trying anymore – it wasn’t getting me anywhere! My mum would just glare at me and then walk off'.

What was positive about being away?

'Getting away from parents and all the hassle. Getting away from people at school. Having freedom to go places, talk to friends when I wanted, get drunk, staying out to whatever time I wanted'.

What were the bad things about being away?

'Even when I was away, I was still thinking about my family. I missed them. I kept thinking I shouldn’t have gone and I would have to go home and face the music. I made my brothers and sisters really upset - they couldn’t sleep. Even now my sister follows me around coz she’s worried I’ll run again. I kept thinking how worried they would all be - I would be sat watching TV with a friend's parents and thinking I should be with mine. Some friends I stayed with got fed up with me being there and caused trouble with other friends. I was hoping it would get sorted out quickly but it didn’t - it pushed me and dad further apart'.

What have you learned from the experience?

'I have learned not to do it again - I put mum through so much - she blamed herself for me running and I got loads of hassle from my step dad. It didn’t really solve anything - I wish I had known how badly it would affect the people around me'.

What advice would you give to other young people thinking of running away?

'Think before you act - think how it will make you and your parents feel and if it will really solve your problem. If you have already run, try and get the courage to go home - accept you will probably get shouted at first, but then sit down and talk to them about what’s going wrong and how to change it'.

What are the dangers young people could face if they run away?

'Loads! People could leave you hurt and no one would know where you are. People might offer you somewhere to stay, but you wouldn’t know if they could be trusted. You might have to resort to stealing, begging or even selling your body to get money or food - this could get you into trouble with the police, your health could suffer. You could even be abducted or murdered - sadly it DOES HAPPEN'.

How has ASTRA helped you?

'They have given me confidence. Helped me to understand what I did was wrong but offered suggestions about how to put it right. It’s having someone to talk to and let it all out and they don’t tell anyone. They’ve helped me communicate better with mum - she’s been much kinder and more helpful to me and I understand where she’s coming from'.

[go to Young people's section]