Support, prevention part of November focus on runaway youth
Nov. 1, 2025
The Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) is spearheading a campaign this year to recognize November as Runaway Prevention Month. The national campaign focuses attention on prevention, education and community support for runaway and at-risk youth.
Police records show that last year, of the 32,680 children reported missing in Canada, 23,219 were considered runaways. Seventy-seven per cent of the missing children were reported to be between the ages of 14-17, and 57 per cent of the runaway youths were female. These statistics reflect the reports filed into a national police database, but police know the real numbers are much higher. https://canadasmissing.ca/pubs/2024/index-eng.htm#t2
Reducing the number of youth who run away starts with recognizing their vulnerabilities and helping protect them before they feel the only solution is to leave a safe environment, says Amanda Pick, CEO of MCSC.
"You are not alone in thinking the numbers of runaway youth is alarming," Pick says. "That's why by recognizing early warning signs and helping young people feel seen, heard and valued, we can help create safe spaces for troubled youth."
The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains released a report in 2024 that explored the numbers of runaways in Canada, and cited research that named family conflict, abuse, poverty, mental health challenges, substance abuse and lack of support, among the reasons youth run away. The report also pointed out that failure to recognize why youth run away, and without enough support or intervention, these at-risk youth will run away again. And as each hour goes by, when a child is missing from a safe environment, the danger of exposure to high-risk activities such as substance misuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and even the risk of death increases.
Read the report: https://www.mcsc.ca/media/05jbszd2/repeat-runaway-report_eng_final.pdf
As part of National Runaway Prevention Month, MCSC is sharing resources that focus on prevention and education available to help youth stay safe and connected. More information can be found on the website. https://mcsc.ca/get-involved/national-runaway-prevention-month/
Throughout the month of November, and especially on Nov. 4, landmarks across Canada are lighting up green in recognition of National Runaway Prevention Month.
"We should never forget that every runaway is a missing, vulnerable child," Pick says. "Each one deserves a chance to live in a safe environment and to grow up free from harm."
The Missing Children Society of Canada was established in 1986 to help return missing children to a safe environment. It has evolved from being an organization distributing posters to find a missing child, to one embracing the latest technology to help police in the search for that child.
For more information about National Runaway Prevention Month and the Missing Children Society of Canada, please contact us at 1-800-661-6160 or info@mcsc.ca.