Prevalence and Types of Experienced Family Violence among Runaway Children (Street Children, Runaway Girls) and Non- Runaway Children

Family violence has enormous consequences and runaway is one of it's major results. Present study compares rates and types of family violence (parents or sibling violence on children, witnessing interparental violence) between runaway and non runaway children. samples includes of: 1) 12-18 years old runaway girls and 8-12 years old boys (street children) that were living in welfare organization centers and 2) 15 boys who were in elementary or guidance school and, 15 student girls who studied in guidance or high school. Two groups were controlled in age and gender factors. CTS scales were completed by participants. T test results indicated that there is statistically significant difference among runaway and no runaway children in parent's physical and Psychological violence experience. In addition, results revealed that runaway children witnessed more interparental violence. There wasn’t significant difference among runaway and no runaway children in sibling abuse item. High rates of parent's physical and psychological violence toward their children may be one of the most important causes of children's runaway. In addition, high prevalence of witnessing interparental violence revealed that runaway children's home was very stressful.