Saving Runaways, With Law and Love

Re “Recession Drives Surge in Youth Runaways” and “For Runaways on the Street, Sex Buys Survival” (“Running in the Shadows” series, front page, Oct. 26 and 27):

I would like to add a few points to your excellent articles about runaways.

While it may be true that “most of the estimated 1.6 million children who run away each year return home within a week,” many of the children who do stay on the streets remain there for years, and many of them will die on the streets or become institutionalized.

You mention “girls” when referring to child prostitutes. As a man who was arrested at 11 years old for prostitution, I know that this issue does not discriminate by gender. Many pedophiles and predators do not care as much about the gender of the victim as the age.

Though the system now identifies children as “victims,” it still treats them as criminals. There is much to be done to help these kids beyond criminalizing them.

Government agencies, foster care, human services and criminal justice — are not currently capable of helping and inspiring these children off the streets. Nonprofit organizations, many of which are closing because of the recession, and caring individuals will be the lifeline for these kids. These organizations are responsible for saving my life after being on the street from age 10 to 22.

If we all just dedicate a little of ourselves by sharing our worlds, we can help inspire and mentor these kids emotionally, academically and socially. Many are damaged and have years of spiritual healing ahead of them.

But you will find that we just want to be loved and to have a secure home and a loving family.

Justin Early
New York, Oct. 27, 2009