I Don't Feel Safe or Loved at Home Anymore

I am 13 I will be 14 in September k have only been living with my mom and my step dad for a few years my mom was never in my life that much when I was younger I would be living with my grandma and once I started to live with my parents I would get called fat and told I don't need to wat so much and I lost a bunch of weight because of it I have to do all the cleaning in my house all the time and I get called lazy I have no social life outside of my house my parents have cameras around our house and keep taking all of my things if I don't do something and all because I don't do what they want I get my things taken I have tried to kill myself 2 times living here and have cut my wairst and they are going to take my door and I don't feel safe here

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Since you are 20 you are more than likely considered a legal adult which means that you can move out if you want to and you won’t be considered a runaway. As a legal adult, you have a right to make your own decisions about where you live. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and help you find resources to land on your feet. Having a plan for where you will live and how you will survive once you move out can be very helpful. Moving can be a huge step, and you don’t have to be alone. Some steps you can take towards independence might be to find employment if you don’t have an income, or to save up money for moving expenses. It can also be helpful to research rents in your area, find a roommate, or make a budget. Another thing you might want to consider is what kinds of things you depend on your parents for currently such as tuition expenses for school, or health insurance, and whether they would continue to provide those things after you leave. There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as Transitional Living Programs, a kind of shelter where young adults can live and get services to help them transition to independent living. We are here to listen and help however we can.
Please remember you can reach us directly by calling our 24 hour hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or through our Live Chat via www.1800runaway.org.

National Runaway Safeline

Hello I'm 20 years old and at home I mentally and emotionally feel safe around my parents. I have been living with them my whole life. I have no control of my life but they do. I have support with some of my sisters but that doesn't do so well. I'm constantly being told what problems I have. I can't speak up for myself or they will just yell at me. I can't have any unsupervised activitys , and the list goes on. I never felt safe. I feel paranoid and jumpy. I got anxiety depression adhd, and autisum. I'm always on the look out. They don't do physical stuff like hitting, but they use there advantage on emotional damage. I would try to get my own place, but whenever I get money from my job, they take it and I don't get to use it until I ask, and most of the time they say no. So that's crossed off. My aunt and uncle like farther away so I can't go there, and my grandma is in a nursing home. I have no were to go. I have no electronics to contact exept this tablet I'm secretly using. Everyone gets so much power in this house,but me, I don't at all. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm tired and confused.please help me

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to us about such a difficult situation. We’re really sorry to hear that your family holds these kinds of destructive and hurtful views. In dealing with their reactions and treatment towards you, it’s really important to remember that there is nothing wrong with you and you have done nothing to deserve any kind of resentment from them just because of your sexuality.

Also, in terms of them forcing you to come out, you do not owe them any truth you are not comfortable sharing. If you don’t feel safe, then you are in your right to deny their assumptions and redirect them with any kind of excuse you can think of. Your safety and wellbeing are much more important than giving them the satisfaction of an admittance.

NRS offers various conference call and mediation services if you need to have a difficult conversation with your family but want a buffer between you, we can help. Another really great resource on this kind of issue is the www.thetrevorproject.org. They specialize in LGBTQ+ issues and especially mental health support for youth, and have a chat line like us.

Although it seems like you’re not in a place where you can chat with us for long, it could be really beneficial to reach out to our chat line once you’re in a safe place. Our chat line is web browser based and open 24/7. If you choose to reach out to our chat line, we do our best work when we can have a conversation with you. You can chat us through this website (www.1800runaway.org) 24/7, whenever is is safe for you.
We truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

My computer is glitching, so I will try to summarize this the best I can.

My mom saw me swipe up on a text I got from someone yesterday but demanded I give her the phone so she could read it. It was about a gay show a "friend" of mine had been watching, but my whole entire family is extremely homophobic. Naturally, my mom flipped out, and she backread those messages to find "I love you" written from both of us. My phone has been confiscated, and I am typing this on my school chromebook. My family is forcing me to come out to them, but things will only get worse if I tell the truth.

What do I do? I don't feel safe, and even typing this is somewhat a risk for me. I only have one week left of school until summer break and my mom is threatening to put me in a private Catholic school because of my identity.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We recognize the strength and courage it takes to reach out, and we are proud of you for taking the initiative for yourself. Though we are not legal experts, it is to our understanding that you would not go to juvenile detention for a flower being destroyed. It sounds like you are experiencing abuse from your stepmother in various ways. We are sorry to hear that you are going through this. We are curious to learn if you have reported this information to anybody and how that may have went. We would be glad to assist you with this further, by providing you with the support you deserve and looking through resources that may help you. Please feel welcome to reach out to us for a further conversation, through our chat portal on our website at www.1800runaway.org where you will click on the "CHAT" button. Additionally, you have the option to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY. Please know that our line operates 24/7, so you may contact us at any time.

We encourage you to please contact 911 immediately if you find yourself at risk or in imminent danger. Your safety deserves to remain the priority! Please know that supportive people such as a trusted family member, teachers or school staff, and the police department are people you may also talk about this with and report to, if you feel comfortable doing so.

We look forward to the opportunity to talk further with you and in the meantime, we are wishing you peace, health, and safety.

Kindly,
NRS

Hi I am a 10 year old boy and I have a stepmother who is really very rude. She makes me do EVERYTHING for her and my sister just freebies on her PC. if I didn't do anything my stepmother thinks I'm the only one to blame! Like one time while I was playing with my friends I went into my backyard and her garden was there and her most favorite flower was destroyed! I didn't do it and she blamed me for it! She got so mad that she was about to send me in Juvenile detention! But I convinced her not to. so she got one of her belts and was threatening me to fold clothes do dishes take out the trash clean her room and all those other chores! And she made food that my dad and my sister liked but I didn't like it. That happened for a few days. I was STARVING. one time she broke my leg and told my sister and my dad they believed me. And my stepmother didn't believe me. And while she's at work, she'll lock me in my room and when she gets back she'll make me do chores. I really want her gone it would be a miracle if she was gone.

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thanks ever so much for reaching out to us. We are so sorry that the situation at home has been so unsettling for you. Please know that it is never ok for anyone to make you feel unsafe at home. You deserves to live in a space where you feels safe. It sounds like you are considering leaving, but have been unable to get consent. We are not legal experts, but we will share information that may help you figure out your next steps.

It sounds like you have concerns about yours and your baby's safety if you stay at home. If you have not done so, making a call to CPS is a good first step if you feel someone is making your living situation unsafe. If you do not know how to reach them, organizations like Child Help, available at 1-800-422-4453 or by visiting www.childhelp.org/ can help you identify your local agency and make a report if you would like to. Regarding leaving home, from what we understand, in some states, it is technically not illegal to run away, but it is considered a status offense in some states. If you leaves without consent, your parents or legal guardians can file a runaway report with their local police department. Each police department has discretion to handle reports as they see fit, but typically, if a youth runs away and is located, they would be returned to their parent/legal guardian. The best way to confirm how the process works in your area is to call your local police at their non emergency number and asking them directly. If you are hoping to permanently live somewhere else with another adult/legal guardian, it may help to reach out to someone familiar with the laws in your state, like a local legal aid agency, so that they can outline what your options might be. If you need help identifying resources, or just want to talk about the situation, you are welcome to reach out to us.

Whatever you decide, please know that we are here to support you. We cannot tell you what to do, but we will do our best to support you as you figure out your next steps. We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat). We are here to listen, here to help. Stay safe!

-NRS

I'm 17 and pregnant and I don't feel safe at home anymore. My parents won't let me live with my boyfriend. My baby and me aren't safe here.

[ccsmod5]

Hi thank you for reaching out to NRS!



Your home life sounds like it has been causing you quite a deal of stress, and things sound rough. I am so sorry you are going through this. Threatening statements and physical abuse are never ok. Abuse in any form is not your fault, and it’s understandable how afraid and alone you feel. Know that you matter. If you are interested in the idea of an abuse report, one can be made anonymously for you. A friend’s parent, a teacher, or another adult you trust could help you make one. Visiting Childhelp.org can give you more information, and they have a hotline as well. Likewise, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a hotline if you feel like you need to speak with anyone suicidepreventionlifeline.org. If you fear for your immediate safety, call 9-1-1. Remember how much you matter and how strong you are for reaching out for help. Feel free to reach out to us anytime through our online chat service or our phone hotline. We are available 24/7. Stay safe, stay strong, and know you are loved!



NRS

1-800-RUNAWAY

1800runaway.org

hi i onley 12 years old i really dont feel safe at because they alwayys think i lieing or stealing thire stuff but I'm not doing the nun of that stuff they always belive my brother but not be i dont no why they always yelling at me saying that they wanna kill me and they sometimes hit me in my chest it hurts and makes be stand in the corner for ablout 5 hours or so and hold books and i barley get sleep because i scared i dont feel safe please help me they always spoileing my brother but not me i feel like i not apart of the family and dont feel loved i want a diffrent family please help

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We are sorry to hear that you have been called dumb and that you will never be anything in your life, this is not okay. You have value and we are here to help. It sounds like you are feeling like you’re in a toxic environment and that you’ve considered leaving but are unsure what to do.



While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. Since you are 15, if you leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, your local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.

We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by forum to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.



Take care,

NRS

Hi I’m 15 and I just don’t want to stay here anymore. I feel unwanted and being called out of my name all the time doesn’t feel good at all but I got used to it. Hearing that you will never be anything in life,your dumb, stupid and worse thing I can’t say it’s just hurtful and depressing. I’m afraid if I stay here any longer, I won’t be able to continue. It’s like a jail in here and I live with my 3 other siblings and the oldest was already kicked out. I can’t go out or do anything and this toxic life is just not for me. I just want out of this please. I cried all night thinking if I should leave or not but I don’t have the guts to do it so I’m posting this comment asking for help.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for your response to another user’s post. Often forums are a place of support and understanding for many youth. It often may be validating and helpful for users to read similar situations as well as exchange feedback to one another. For anyone experiencing any difficulties or challenges, the National Runaway Safeline encourages youth to reach out to our 24/7 crisis support line either by phone or chat for immediate services.
Thank you, NRS

You should call someone for help or call a friend or get help from someone