ASIAN runaways are more at risk of violence and abuse on the streets than others who run away because support services do not understand them new research reveals.

The research carried out by the Children's Society looked into the experiences of over 37 Asian girls and young women, who had run away from their homes in Greater Manchester.

It found that some of the girls thought services, such as the Police and Social Services, assumed they had run away to escape forced marriages and failed to look at wider causes such as sexual abuse, mental health and issues regarding their sexuality.

The report entilted, 'No one's asked us before', also found Asian runaways were twice as likely to stay away from home for more than a week, compared to other children.

Shamim Akhtar, Project worker at Safe in the City and co-author of the report said, "Asian children may be running away for longer and are at greater risk of coming into danger on the streets, yet support services are not responding effectively to this problem."

The report highlights a number of issues, most notably, how a growing number of Asian children and young people are not being reported missing to the police because of the shame it brings to their families. Many of those interviewed also found services such as the police and child protection teams, were not adequately trained to understand the additional cultural problems Asian children face when they run away

Andy McCullogh, The Children's Society Safe in the City Project leader in Manchester said, "The report shows that the needs of Asian runaways have been overlooked for too long and it's time their voices were heard."

Recommendations include a need to have professional training on cultural awareness that extends beyond the stereotypes of Asian communties. There is also for a call for more Asian workers in key agencies such as the police and social services.