The majority of people in Britain (68%) are in the dark about the extent of young people on the UK’s streets.
The majority of people in Britain (68%) are in the dark about the extent of young people on the UK’s streets. A survey commissioned by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC) and Aviva to mark today’s International Day for Street Children revealed worrying public misperceptions about the issue of children on the UK’s streets and a huge lack of awareness:
- An estimated 100,000 children run away in the UK every year PDF (412Kb)1
- 80% of the British public significantly underestimate the problem
- Over one in five (21%) would feel suspicious of potential criminal activity at the sight of young people sleeping rough
- Fewer than 10% would feel really compelled to help young people sleeping rough.
Only 13% of people realised the issue of street children is prevalent in Western Europe, with most associating this with the developing world, in particular Africa and Asia (61%). The International Day for Street Children seeks to challenge the widely held perception that the issue is confined to the developing world.
To mark the day CSC and Aviva want to ensure street children aren’t ignored and are asking governments and society to sign a pledge to stand up for the rights of street children at www.streetchildrenday.org/take-action. This public support will be shared at a UN meeting in June.
The International Day for Street Children is led by CSC, the leading international network dedicated to realising the rights of street children worldwide and supported by Aviva through its Street to School programme.
Since the launch of the International Day for Street Children in 2011 the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights commissioned a report2 into street children to better protect and promote their rights. CSC was employed as lead consultant and gathered the views of over 120 children in six countries about their circumstances, experiences and aspirations. The report was sponsored by Aviva and concluded that:
- The actual number of street children is hard to quantify and countries should invest in data collection initiatives to accurately assess the issue
- Before reaching the streets, children will have been deprived of many of their rights eg education, protection, support and healthcare
- Many children find it necessary to adopt tactics such as begging, loitering and rough sleeping in order to survive
- Rough treatment by authorities - such as violence and round-ups - is all too common.
Sally Shire, CEO of CSC said: “Across the globe there are large numbers of children surviving on the streets. Whether they are a runaway from Derby or a street child in Delhi the factors that drive children to the streets are similar. Being a street child is not a crime; we want governments and society to recognise this.
"On 12 April we are encouraging people to sign our pledge at www.streetchildrenday.org/take-action and stand up for the rights of street children all over the world. We will share the public’s support at a meeting with the UN in June, to ensure that street children’s rights are not ignored.”
Andrew Moss, Group CEO of Aviva said: “Through our Street to School programmes we’re helping provide vital support to street children in immediate need. I’m proud that Aviva has helped over 400,000 children since its launch.
"But it’s also important that we play our part in creating long term, sustainable change for these children. Policy change is never a quick win and, given the complexity of these children’s needs, it’s not a quick fix either. That’s why supporting the International Day for Street Children and sponsoring the newly published UN research is important; providing clarity and focus on the problems facing street children and those who work with them.”
Last year the International Day for Street Children was celebrated in over 33 locations across the globe by street children, NGO’s, policy makers, celebrities, businesses and individuals. As part of its support in 2012, Aviva has also commissioned a new film that brings the voices of street children all over the world to life, which can be viewed at www.streetchildrenday.org/the-day/film.
To sign the pledge and find out more visit www.streetchildrenday.org/take-action
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Media enquiries
Laura Burnell
Consortium for Street Children
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7921 4560
Mobile: +44 (0)7817 247240
Email: laura@streetchildren.org.uk
Sarah Ellis
Aviva
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7662 2165
Mobile: +44 (0)7800 694685
Email: sarah.ellis@aviva.com
Rachel Ringstead
Edelman
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3047 4051
Email: rachel.ringstead@edelman.com
Notes to editors:
For more information
1 The Children's Society Still Running 3 PDF (415Kb), November 2011
Interviews
Interviews are available on request, with representatives from CSC, Aviva and individuals with previous experience of being on the street in their youth, including:
- Andy McCullough is head of UK Policy and Public Affairs at Railway Children, a street children charity which is part of the CSC network. He understands all too well what life on the UK streets is like as he spent a large part of his youth surviving on them. After his Dad died when he was seven he was placed in a children’s home, but at 11 he began to spend more and more time on the streets and once he officially left the home, aged 16, took up residence on them permanently.
Andy joined Railway Children six years ago. He says: "I am passionate about my job and finally feel that I’ve found my way home. I’m aware there are a number of different paths I could have taken – a number of children I was in homes with have died of drug overdoses or are in prison. But in this job I hear success stories all the time about kids who are working through their issues, and beginning to get their lives back on track. The International Day for Street Children provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these successes and increase understanding of the issue across the globe." - Vartan Melkonian is classical conductor and composer, who has regularly conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a Patron of CSC. Vartan was brought up in the early ‘50s at an orphanage in Lebanon until the age of eight. He then lived rough in the slums of Beirut, scouring the streets of the city.
- In 1972 Vartan arrived in the UK fleeing the civil war in Lebanon. He started worked as a club singer and his singing voice even won him a place on TV’s "New Faces". However, it was his passion for classical music that led him to a new field and he began his career as a conductor in the mid ‘80s. He says: “As a child I used to be called a ‘street-slug’. Back then many people would never have believed I’d grow up to become a classical composer. On the International Day for Street Children it is vital that people challenge their own perceptions. I am living proof that a street child has just as much potential as any other child, given the opportunity.”
- Sally Shire is CEO of the Consortium for Street Children, leading CSC's focus on advocacy, best practice, capacity building and research. Over her 30 year career Sally has acquired extensive experience across marketing communications, brand development and cause related marketing. Her previous roles include working as a spokesperson for British Rail, marketing communications manager for Barclaycard and head of corporate responsibility at Barclays. Sally joined Aviva 12 years ago and as group brand director, she led on creating a single global brand and most recently launched their global brand campaign "You are the Big Picture". She also played a key role in establishing Aviva's "Street to School" programme and is a Trustee of Family Action.
About International Day for Street Children
The International Day for Street Children was launched in 2011 by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC), the leading international network dedicated to realising the rights of street children worldwide and supported by Aviva plc. The day is celebrated by street children, NGOs, policy makers, celebrities, corporates and individuals across the globe.
For more information and to add your voice to support the International Day for Street Children visit www.streetchildrenday.org/take-action
About the research
The research into perceptions of street children was nationally representative and conducted by OnePoll, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults aged 18-91, between 5-7 March 2012.
Further statistics, along with demographic breakdowns are available on request.
About the UN’s report.
2 The "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection and promotion of the rights of children working and/or living on the street" can be viewed at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Children/Study/Pages/childrenonthestreet.aspx
In March 2011, CSC acted as key advisor to the first UN Resolution for 17 years which specifically addressed children in street situations. The Resolution was unanimously adopted by the UN Human Rights Council who invited the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a study to examine the challenges, lessons learnt and best practices to protect and promote the rights of children working and/or living on the street.
CSC was engaged as lead consultant by the OHCHR and the report was sponsored by Aviva. The report was presented by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Council on 2 March 2012 during the Council’s 19th session.
About the Consortium for Street Children
The Consortium for Street Children (CSC) is the leading international network dedicated to realising the rights of street children worldwide. CSC focuses on four strategic areas: Advocacy, Research, Capacity Building and Shared Learning. CSC is continually expanding and currently has over 70 network members working across 130 countries. www.streetchildren.org.uk. Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/streetchildren
About Aviva
- Aviva provides 43 million customers with insurance, savings and investment products.
- We are the UK’s largest insurer and one of Europe’s leading providers of life and general insurance.
- We combine strong life insurance, general insurance and asset management businesses under one powerful brand.
- We are committed to serving our customers well in order to build a stronger, sustainable business, which makes a positive contribution to society, and for which our people are proud to work.
- In 2009 Aviva launched Street to School across its businesses worldwide, with the aim to help at least 500,000 children living and working on the streets get back into some form of education and training by 2015. Aviva provides prosperity and peace of mind to our customers, but we also have a wider commitment to society to support those who aren’t our customers. To date we have helped 400,000 children worldwide with projects and charity partners. For more information visit: /reports/cr11/
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive
- For broadcast-standard video, please visit /media/b-roll-library/.
- Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc