What is a potential risk for children who run away?

The potential risk for children who run away primarily centers on the increased likelihood of becoming victims of exploitation. When children leave home, they often do so without adequate support or resources, which can make them vulnerable to various forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation, trafficking, and other dangerous situations. This risk heightens due to their isolation and lack of adult supervision, which can lead them to make poor decisions or fall prey to individuals who seek to take advantage of them.

In contrast, while enrolling in new schools, developing friendships, or learning survival skills might seem like potential outcomes of running away, they do not address the immediate and serious dangers that accompany such a decision. In reality, the risks far outweigh any perceived benefits in those areas, making vulnerability to exploitation a critical concern for youth who choose to flee from their homes.