Children who run away from home run a high risk of experiencing violence and sexual abuse, according to the first major survey of missing people.

A study by the University of York and the National Missing Persons Helpline published on Wednesday found teenaged girls aged and men aged between 24 and 30 are more likely to go missing.

The study, which drew on case records of nearly 2000 people and questionnaires completed by 114 formerly missing people, found most leave home to escape family problems or have mental health issues.

Other issues include financial difficulties and drug and alcohol dependency.

Among adults, 64 per cent cited relationship problems with either their partners or parents.

In particular, fathers lost contact with their children when they disappeared after marriage breakdown.

Similarly, women fleeing domestic violence broke off contact with children, parents or siblings due to fear of being traced.

Another key group were people unable to cope with the transition from institutions such as children's homes, prisons or the armed forces.

The majority of children who run away are teenagers experiencing conflict with parents, abuse or problems at school.

Around two fifths of young runaways and 28 per cent of the adults surveyed had slept rough while missing and almost one third of young runaways had stayed with a stranger.

The charity called for better access to safe accommodation for runaways and help for those who do not intend to return to help re-build their lives.

It also urged government departments to work more closely together over the issue.

"The missing issue requires a co-ordinated lead from central government to provide a clear policy direction and to ensure that the needs of missing people are reflected in all departmental initiatives," said a spokesman.

"A national forum, linking statutory and voluntary agencies with an interest in this area, could lead to the development of more integrated policy and service responses."