Children who have no home are often denied

Children who have no home are often denied many other rights. These children live in both the more developed and the developing countries of the world.

I can tell you some ways in which the rights of homeless children are denied. I can tell you some reasons why young people might end up on the street, in the UK and in the developing world.

NEWS FLASH “The death squads struck again in the centre of Rio de Janeiro last night – social workers in the Santa Marta district of the city reported that masked men had abducted three children. Their bodies were later found dumped on the outskirts of the city. An outcry in the media had led to the Mayor setting up an enquiry. ”

Why did the killings take place? Who is responsible ? (is it only those who actually killed the children? ) What action – if any – should be taken?

Young and homeless in the UK One out of every 20 young people is likely to be homeless at some point. An estimated 200, 000 to 300, 000 young people face homelessness each year in the UK; around one in ten of them will sleep rough. Around 43, 000 young people are reported missing each year in the UK. 40% of young people living on the streets survive with no income. More than 80% of homeless young people have never been in trouble with the police. Figures from Centrepoint

86% of young people who become homeless in the UK have been forced to leave home because of factors such as violence, abuse, family breakdown and being thrown out. Some parents ask their children to leave because of poverty. Figures from Centrepoint