FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waterman: Number of homeless youth growing in Indiana
State panel will study the issue Tuesday
(STATEHOUSE)— Sen. John Waterman (R-Shelburn) said because the issue is so hard to define, estimates of homeless youth in the United States range from the tens of thousands to more than one million. Waterman serves on a state panel created to study the issue of missing children and is eager to hear testimony from a variety of experts regarding the issue when the Interim Study Committee on Missing Children convenes Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, many factors including poverty, mental illness and substance abuse contribute to the increasing number of homeless youth in the United States. Homelessness can have tragic consequences for youth, including a higher risk of depression, anxiety, physical and sexual abuse, sexually-transmitted disease, suicide and murder.
“Homeless youth are easy targets for those who prey on the innocent and vulnerable,” Waterman said. “We need to do what we can to protect these kids and get them off the streets.”
During the last meeting of the committee, Cynthia Smith, executive director of the Youth Service Bureau in Evansville, testified there are approximately 600 homeless youth in Evansville. The problem is compounded by the fact that shelters only allow youth to stay with permission of a parent or guardian – which is difficult if not impossible for homeless youth to obtain.
Waterman serves Senate District 39, which includes Clay, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Owen, Sullivan and Vigo Counties.
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