I cry all night
Hoping someone will hear
I try to love
but all that came was fear.
You can’t see me
But I can see you
All that I wanted
Was to have something true
So I sleep in a place
That is not my home
Waiting for a life
I can call my own.

— Author unknown

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Once again, the school resource officers of the Auburn Police Department will raise our green lights and recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month.

Nationwide, between 1.6 million and 2.8 million youths run away in a year, and youths ages 12 to 17 are at a higher risk for homelessness than adults. These statistics are a reflection of our community, as well.

New Beginnings and Volunteers of America have reported serving 642 homeless youths. The purpose of National Runaway Prevention Month is to raise awareness about issues facing teen runaways, and educating the public about its role in youth runaway solutions and prevention. The primary focus is on teen runaways; however, there is an undeniable connection between runaway youths and youth homelessness.

While the issue of teen runaways has been addressed largely at the national level, our goal is to address the issues we see in our community on a day-to-day basis. When we take a glance at the teens who live in our community, are we sure we know who is a runaway and who is not? Who has a bed to sleep in?

Many times we can’t tell from first observation. A young person’s outward appearance may be clean and well-kept; however, many teens are not living at home with their families. In many cases, some have moved in with friends or are “couch-surfing.” In a few extreme cases, teens are living in shelters and out of their vehicles, brushing their teeth in gas station bathrooms. An estimated 57 percent of homeless kids spend at least one day every month without food.

Teens living under these circumstances are at extreme risk of being tempted by drugs and alcohol, sexual promiscuity, dropping out of school, and sometimes, prostitution and human trafficking.

It is estimated that between 240,000 and 325,000 children are at risk of sexual exploitation each year in the United States, with as many as 20,000 kids forced into prostitution by human-trafficking networks every year.

A sophisticated understanding of the realities on the ground is necessary to ensure that sex-trafficking victims are not wrongly discounted as consenting adults. Too often, police, prosecutors, judges and policymakers assume a victim has free will if he or she has the physical ability to walk away.

This assumption is wholly inconsistent with what is known about the nature of pimping and sex trafficking. The use of force, fraud and coercion is pervasive but often overlooked. In its most obvious manifestation, a pimp will physically restrain a prostituted person’s movements and use physical violence to ensure customers’ satisfaction.

Teens who run away feel that they are out of options. Many runaway teens are overwhelmed and have a sense of losing control of an aspect of their lives. To them, running away is a means of taking back control. Understanding the root of the problems and finding solutions is the mountain that those attempting to tackle this growing problem are facing.

A major factor in youth runaway prevention is recognizing some of the most common warning signs:

• Lack of parental involvement;

• Ongoing conflict with a parent or guardian;

• Domestic violence in the home/other family trauma;

• Sexual abuse in the home;

• Substance abuse in the home.

If you are a parent, friend or family member to a teen who runs away, call the police and file a report (the sooner the better). It is imperative that needed information (last known location, clothes they were wearing, potential destinations, updated photo, etc.) gets entered into the system quickly.

The immediate goal for police is to return youths as quickly and safely as possible. If it is determined the runaway was fleeing an unsafe/unfit environment, resources will be drawn to address that matter.

Unfortunately, we can’t prevent teens from running away, but here are a few suggestions that may help. Be firm but show respect, keeping the lines of communication open. Don’t scream, yell or threaten; this may encourage them to leave. Try not to interrupt when your child does come to you to talk; sometimes a lot can be accomplished by listening. If you disagree with your child, listen to their side and then calmly give your side. If things start to get out of control, take a break.

If you feel your child may run away, seek professional help with counseling. Be familiar with his or her friends, cellphone contacts, and online social networks. This information has proven instrumental in past runaway cases. Communicate with other parents so they know how you feel if your teen runs to their home.

We have professionals in our community who can effectively address the teen runaway problem, which has been on the rise in recent years. The old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” speaks volumes.

The safety of our youths rests with combined efforts of the police, schools, friends and families and parents in every home.

Bernice (Mowatt) Westleigh, Eric Bell and Tom Poulin are Auburn school resource officers and members of the Auburn Police Department.

Please refer to the following resources for further information:

United Way of Androscoggin County: 795-4000

Volunteers of America, 1328 Washington St., Bath, ME 04530: 442-0181

New Beginnings Emergency Shelter, 491 Main St., Lewiston, ME: 795-4070

The Tedford House, 49 Cumberland St., Brunswick, ME 04011: 725-4871

Hope Haven Gospel Mission, 209 Lincoln St., Lewiston, ME 04240: www.hopehavengospelmission.org

St. Martin de Porres, 23 Bartlett St., Lewiston, ME 04240-6804: 786-4690

Auburn Police Department, 60 Court St., Auburn, ME 04210: 333-6650

Lewiston Police Department, 171 Park St., Lewiston, ME 04240: 513-3001

Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department, 2 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210: 784-7361

As a part of the Auburn Police Department’s recent “Not Here” conference on human trafficking, the department and its partners at Flagship Cinemas will present “Sex+Money,” a documentary film that explores the realities of human trafficking in the United States. This film will be shown, free of charge, at 1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Flagship Cinemas, 746 Center St. Due to mature content, persons must be 18 years or order to attend. FMI: www.sexandmoneyfilm.com