LGBTIQ+ young people who were forced to leave home, ran away, and/or were homeless when they were children are being given the opportunity to share their stories as part of a new study

A research coalition made up of IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation, Missing Children Europe and Portsmouth University are looking for LGBTIQ+ young people between 18-24 years old who went missing as children (before turning 18) in a European country or in the UK to take part in a new study including surveys and interviews.

A “missing” child is any person under the age of 18 whose whereabouts are unknown. In the context of this project, a child is “missing” when they leave their place of residence, either after deciding it or being forced to, either by informing those responsible for them of their location or not. This definition can be used to describe the situation of children who run away from their family home or main place of residence, or are being forced to leave it, among other situations. This definition is not exhaustive and can also include wider experiences, such as being homeless, living with other relatives, friends or foster families, being in the care of social services or foster care, being an unaccompanied asylum seeker, or being a victim of trafficking.

Open until 16 March 2025, the survey is part of LGBTIQ+ Missing Children, a wider two-year project focused on understanding the specific challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ young people who have gone missing before turning 18. The project aims to provide better support and prevent young people from becoming victims of exclusion, homelessness, and violence.

Why Real-Life Stories Are Important

Despite growing recognition of the unique risks faced by LGBTIQ+ young people, there remains a significant gap in research on the intersection of LGBTIQ+ identities and the experience of “going missing”. The insights gathered from survey participants will directly inform future training programmes, awareness campaigns, and policy recommendations to better support LGBTIQ+ children at risk.

The findings from this study will be shared with key organisations like Missing Children Europe and 116 000 helplines across the continent to ensure that the needs of LGBTIQ+ children are better understood and addressed.

The study initially requires participants to undertake an online survey and/or take part in a semi-structured online interview. The survey is completely anonymous and available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.

Eligibility Criteria

The anonymous survey should be answered by those who:

  • Identify as an LGBTIQ+ person
  • Are 18 years of age or above
  • Went missing in an EU country or the UK before turning 18 as per this definition:

A “missing” child is typically defined as any person under the age of 18 whose whereabouts are unknown. In the context of this project, we consider that a child is “missing” when they leave their place of residence, either after deciding it or being forced to, either by informing those responsible for them of their location or not. This definition can be used to describe the situation of children who run away from their family home or main place of residence, or are being forced to leave it, among other situations. This definition is not exhaustive and can also include wider experiences, such as being homeless, living with other relatives, friends or foster families, being in the care of social services or foster care, being an unaccompanied asylum seeker, or being a victim of trafficking.

If you are interested in participating in the study or would like some more information, please visit the IGLYO website here: https://www.iglyo.org/projects/lgbtiq-missing-children#Survey

 

Contacts

For more information:

 

Photo available here, by Miki Fath on Unsplash.

 

About IGLYO

Started in 1984, IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation is the largest member-based network in the world dedicated to LGBTQI youth and their rights. They gather over 125 Member Organisations in more than 40 countries in Europe. Their work focuses on the protection, empowerment, and freedom of LGBTQI young people. www.iglyo.org

About Missing Children Europe

Missing Children Europe represents 33 Non-Governmental Organisations active in 27 countries across Europe for the prevention, protection and support of missing and sexually exploited children and their families. They provide the link between research, policies, and organisations on the ground to protect children from any form of violence, abuse, or neglect that is caused by or results from them going missing. Missing Children Europe coordinates the network of 116000 hotlines for missing children, and the network of cross border family mediators and facilitates coordination of cases that involve cross-border issues, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the help they need no matter where they are in Europe.
www.missingchildreneurope.eu

About the University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth hosts The Centre for the Study of Missing Persons, provides a clear focus for research into missing persons, for knowledge transfer and for educational provision, to academics, to professionals in the missing persons community and to relatives of missing people. www.port.ac.uk