CYP Now - Interview: Reform for runaways - Martin Houghton-Brown, policyadviser, The Children's Society

Anita (not her real name) first ran away at 13. She was missing for five days and spent most of that time sleeping rough. She told police she ran away because her mother's partner was sexually abusing her. While police dealt with the allegations she was placed in emergency care. But her mother didn't believe her and she was placed in foster care.

Martin Houghton-Brown, policy adviser at The Children's Society, wassitting in the stranger's gallery of the House of Commons as MPslistened to this and other stories just over a week ago. "Sadly we've along supply of case studies," he sighs.

The Parliamentary debate is one highlight in a busy month for thecharity's campaign to get better support for young runaways. Indeed, theissue appears to be moving up the political agenda.

Last week, the newly formed All-party Parliamentary Group for Runawayand Missing Children met for the first time (Children Now, 19-25July).

A significant number of MPs, including the chairs of several selectcommittees, were there. When education secretary Alan Johnson popped in,Houghton-Brown was both surprised and pleased. "It was a closed meeting,but he said the new group put runaways high up the agenda. He said therewas more to discuss."

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