Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 16 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 January 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of children who ran away from home since 1997 he estimates suffered from (a) physical abuse and (b) mental abuse. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children who ran away from home since 1997 he estimates suffered from (a) physical abuse and (b) mental abuse. [88189] Jacqui Smith: The Government are aware from the social exclusion unit's "Young Runaways" (2002) report that it is estimated that 77,000 children and young people run away every year, including nearly 20,000 who are under 11. However, the information requested, which relates specifically to children who run away as a direct consequence of either suffering physical abuse or from suffering mental abuse is not collected centrally.

Secondary information