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Emma, 20, Liverpool
Emma was forced to flee her home to escape domestic violence. The train station in Liverpool provided Emma with a relatively safe and warm place where she could hang out with other young homeless people. Emma is now living in a hostel in Liverpool. Perou/O2 Think Big

British fashion photographer Perou, famed for working with iconic figures from the worlds of fashion, film, sport and music, Thursday launched an online photography exhibition which showcases a series of powerful images portraying the realities of youth homelessness in the UK.

The exhibition is part of Homelessness & The Arts, a unique campaign which is backed and funded by O2's Think Big youth programme. The campaign was created by 20-year-old homeless activist James McNaughton who, having experienced homelessness firsthand, is committed to using the power of art to engage society with the issue of youth homelessness.

The exhibition, which includes a range of photographs shot by Perou, is designed to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and challenge society's perceptions of the estimated 80,000 young people who experience homelessness every year in the UK.

"The vast majority of people are fortunate enough never to have experienced homelessness, but ignorance shouldn't be an excuse. Every day, homeless young people are forced to confront society's prejudice and what people fail to realise is the huge impact this has on vulnerable young people as they try rebuild their lives," Perou said.

"Through the exhibition... we want people to stop ignoring the issue and see the stark reality of youth homelessness in the UK. It's about creating an impact and provoking a reaction," he added.