Assessment of abuse in runaway and homeless youth

Abstract

Many youth are leaving abusive living situations and, as a result, becoming runaways and homeless. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study that focuses on discovering how shelter staff actually assess youth for the possible problems of sexual, physical, and family substance abuse. Respondents included a counselor and a supervisor selected from each of four runaway/homeless shelters. The findings reveal that assessment does not follow a structured format or protocol, nor do the respondents rely on a checklist of warning signs or red flags. Rather, they watch for physical signs and atypical behavior that may be an indication of underlying problems. Although respondents seem aware of the importance of assessing sexual, physical, and substance abuse, they bring a wide range in levels of vigilance and skill to the assessment of each problem. © 1996 Human Sciences Press, Inc.