Homeless youth and their exposure to and involvement in violence while living on the streets

Predictors of first mental health service utilization among homeless and runaway adolescents

“…Several researchers call for an expansion of the conceptualization of homeless youth [12,14,15]. Homeless youth are not a homogeneous group in terms of street experiences, pathways to homelessness, or mental health needs.…”

“…Kipke et al [15] studied street victimization and fear of violence in a sample of homeless youth in Los Angeles. They found that the influence of race/ethnicity on street victimization was nonsignificant.…”

“…Rates of violent victimization for white, black and Hispanic youth did not differ. Kipke et al [15] argue that homelessness surpasses racial/ethnic differences when youths are on the streets.…”

“…Adolescents living on the streets are vulnerable to physical and sexual victimization at higher rates compared with housed youth [15]. Victimization while on the street has been shown to influence depressive symptoms of homeless adolescents [22].…”

Invited Commentary: National Safe Place: Meeting the Immediate Needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth

“…Because they are reluctant to report crimes that they witness or that are committed against them, homeless youth are frequently exposed to violence (Kipke et al 1997). Youth without access to social service resources, including shelters, also have an increased tendency to become homeless and to engage in criminal activities (Hagan and McCarthy 1998).…”