Runaway Children | Runaway Help | Integrity Security & Investigation Services, Inc.

RUNAWAY CHILDREN - RUNAWAY HELP

This page provides information about; teenage runaways, runaway children, runaway recovery, what to do when your child runs away, and what not to do. This page is informative and provides links to resources, phone numbers, and professional suggestions from private investigators.
If you live in Virginia call (866) 231-2453 immediately for a FREE consultation with an experienced detective

RUNAWAY RECOVERY - THE FIRST DAYS ARE CRUCIAL

A commonly overlooked option for recovering runaway children is to secure the services of a reputable and experienced private investigation agency. In many cases, runaways return home on their own after a few days, some after a few hours. For the rest, it is crucial that you expedite a plan of action to ensure their speedy and safe recovery.

When runaways are away from the normal supervised environment they become susceptible to external forces that they may not be prepared to deal with. Who will they stay with? Will they drink alcohol? Will they experiment with drugs? Will they experiment with sex? Will they fall prey to an adult that takes advantage of their situation? Will they be forced to do things they would not normally do to survive? Will they leave the local area?

As a golden rule, the longer you wait to pursue recovering your child the less the odds are that they will return safely and unharmed. Law enforcement does everything within their power to recover runaway children. The problem is, they don’t have the resources to dedicate an investigator to recovering your child. They will take a report, they will keep an eye out for your child, and they will report any findings to you. They will also continue to pursue protecting the general public against crime…their primary mission.

Locate a sophisticated agency that is capable of recovering information from your computer using[computer forensics], coordinating “trap line services” on your telephone line, and quickly formulating a logical plan of action based on a profile of your child’s history and his or her behavior patters.

What To Do If Your Child Runs Away From Home

Realizing that your child has run away from home is filled with emotion. Anger that she would do such a thing; fear for her safety; shame that others may think that you are not a “good” parent. While some children run across city or state lines, statistics indicate that most children stay in the same general area that they live in. Some go only as far as a friend or relative. Wherever your child has gone, there are certain steps that are necessary not only for a safe return, but to protect both her rights and yours.

Notify the police and file a missing persons report.
Keep records of all details of the investigation and stay in touch with authorities while your child is missing. Call the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-RUAWAY. NRS operates a 24-hour confidential hotline for teens and their families. Services include crisis intervention, information, referrals, and the Home Free program in partnership with Greyhound Lines, Inc. Specially trained volunteers at the hotline will help you process the situation and give you support.

Leave a message with the NRS for your child.
Spread the word among your friends and your child’s friends that you have done this and to encourage him/her to call. Your child can also leave messages for you.

Tell others that your teen is missing.
Let them know that you are concerned and ask for their help and support. Posters can help if your teen is still in the area or contact the news desk of your local television station or newspaper.

Contact a reputable Private Investigator for a consultation.
Private investigators with experience in runaway recovery have invaluable insight in these matters. They know who to call to get things done quickly. Consider hiring a PI to oversee and coordinate the recovery of your child. Every day that a child is gone from home reduces the odds of their safe return.

Check any records that may give clues about your child’s whereabouts.
Look at phone bills, e-mail activity, pager records, credit card activity, bus or airline dockets, bank statements, and employment records.

Visit your child’s school.
Talk to the administration, security, teachers, or counselor for any information that might be useful.

Install Caller ID or other tracing methods, if available in your area.

Contact hotlines for parents of missing children.
If you think your child was abducted or you need assistance in distributing posters nationwide. NRS can provide you with national and local referrals.

Take care of yourself and your other children.
This is a difficult time and you don’t have to deal with it alone. Turn to people you know and trust for support. NRS is available 24 hours every day for you.

Building the Foundation for a Healthy Teen & Parent Relationship

Spend time with your children and teens.
Spend time with your kids, engaged in activities that suit their ages and interests. Shared experiences build a bank account of affection and trust that forms the basis for future communication. Eat together as often as you can. Meals are a great opportunity to talk about the day’s events and to grow closer with your children. Use the time for conversation, not confrontation. Read, watch TV or movies, and surf the internet together. Exercise or play sports as a family. Get involved in community service with your kids.

Help teens gain a sense of self-confidence.
Self-confidence is earned, not given. Give kids opportunities to learn skills and gain confidence. Offer praise for jobs well done, accentuate the positive, emphasize the things your children do right. If they fall short, suggest ways to improve; don’t criticize. Affection and respect will reinforce good behavior (and change bad) far more successfully than fear or embarrassment.

Encourage your teens to get involved in fun, safe, fulfilling activities.
Help your children to identify their strengths, talents, and interests and to find opportunities in which these assets can be developed. Encourage them to volunteer in the community, join a youth group, or participate in arts or sports. It will give them a sense of accomplishment, connect them to positive peers and adult leaders, and – not least of all – keep them busy.

Do's And Don'ts For Parents With Teenagers

DO . . .

Acknowledge appropriate or desirable behavior with praise or rewards.

Model the type of behavior you want from your teenager. If you want honest expressions of feelings, you must do the same.

Be consistent with rule setting.

Acknowledge your mistakes. Your teen needs to know that you recognize that you make mistakes and are willing to take responsibility or them.

Regularly ask your teenager how her day was and how she is feeling. It will open up communication and let her know that you are available to listen when she is having a problem, or when things are going great!

Use “active listening” with your teenager. Pay careful attention to the emotion behind the message and try to determine what your teenager said by rephrasing it into your own words.

Give undivided attention when your teenager wants you.

Compliment your child when he makes an effort to look nice and take pride in his appearance.

DON’T . . .

Criticize every little thing your teenager does “wrong.” Remember that everyone makes mistakes and that your child does “good” things sometimes, too.

Say one thing and do another (i.e., you are not teaching honesty, when you say “If that’s ______ at the door/on the phone, say I’m not home.”)

Change your mind several times about rules. If you are inconsistent, your teenager will learn how to easily manipulate you.

Ignore or deny your mistakes. Your teenager will recognize this behavior and may model himself after it. Also, it encourages lack of responsibility.

Ignore your teenager’s moods. Although teenagers are moody by nature, ignoring any behavior associated with moodiness, withdrawing, or major changes in behavior may be ignoring a significant problem in the life of your teenager.

Professional suggestions and recommendations contained herein were collected from numerous public and federal resources

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