I Don't Feel Safe or Loved at Home Anymore

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thanks for writing in. It sounds like you’re in a scary situation at home with everything going on with your family. You never deserve to be called names or threatened, especially by the people who are supposed to love and cherish you. You are not alone and you deserve to feel safe and supported.
We’re not legal experts, however behavior that you mentioned (your father fighting with your brother and constant drunkness) may qualify as abuse. If you’d feel comfortable doing so, you can report the abuse to the National Child Abuse Hotline; this hotline is also able to give you information about what that process looks like and what the outcome of filing a report may be. Their number is 1-800-422-4453. If you’re more comfortable reaching out to a teacher, coach, or guidance counselor, these people can report the situation for you as well.
You mentioned that you want to run away and live with your boyfriend. It makes sense that you might want to get out of a situation that is hurtful and potentially dangerous. If you are under 18, there are a few considerations. If you leave home without parental consent, your parents would have the right to file a runaway report. If they do so and the police are able to locate you, then they would return you home. If you disclose an abusive situation at home to the police, they are required to investigate that situation before sending you home. Another option is to ask your parents to allow you to stay with someone else, like a family member, family friend, or your boyfriend. If you are able to get their written consent, there should be no issue legally (though, again, we’re not legal experts).
If you do choose to leave home, it’s generally a good idea to think of the following: where you’ll get food, where you’ll stay, how you’ll earn income, whether you have clothes for warm and cold weather, what your backup plans are if you can’t stay where you initially planned, etc. If you’d like to talk about the situation more specifically, please feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-786-2929. Best of luck.

I dont feel safe at home . my dad is an alcoholic he comes in everyday drunk and argues with my brother almost to the point where they end up fist fighting . my mom and dad call me names for no reason and my brother threatens me . i want to runaway and live with my boyfriend what should i do

[ccsmod9]

Hi,
It sounds like you are in a very difficult situation at home. Please know that you do not deserve to be mistreated either physically or mentally. That is considered abuse and can be reported to Child Protective Services, if you’re comfortable doing so. You could also call us here at the National Runaway Safeline. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are here 24 hours a day/7 days a week, and we could help you make the report. We are also here to talk about how you’re feeling and how to help you manage the situation you’re in. There is also a hotline specifically for talking about the abuse you are experiencing: Childhelp is designed to provide help to kids in your situation. Their website is www.childhelp.org , or you can call them at 1-800-422-4453. You may want to consider talking to a teacher or school counselor or another trusted adult about the how your dad has been treating you. Sometimes just sharing your story helps.
You say you’re trying to figure out a way to stay with your mom. While we’re not legal experts here at NRS, if you want to give us a call we can look for legal resources in your area that might be able to give you some advice about custody issues.
Please give us a call; we’re here to listen and help. We hope to hear from you soon.
Take care,
NRS

hi i am 15 and i dont feel safe at my dads house. i get blamed for things i did not do and when that happens my dad and step mom star to scream in my face. Then it gets more physical, I realy need help because i fell like im getting mentaly and physicaly abuse at my dads house. I have been saying that i want to live with my momma again but he said that will never happen, he just says "YOU BETTER GET OUT YOUR HEAD BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO BACK THERE. I know my mom lost custudy because she married this man that was mean but she divorced him and he is know in prison. So i dont see why he dont want me to be happy with my momma i am tired of the physical and mental abuse by my dad and stepmom i want it to end and i know the only way that it will end is if i go back home to live with my momma.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for contacting us at the National Runaway Safeline. We're here 24/7 to listen and to support.

We're so sorry to hear about the abuse that you are going through at home. You mentioned cutting yourself and attempting suicide and we want you to know that you are not alone and your life is valuable. If you ever feel suicidal, don't hesitate to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They are also there 24/7 to give you the support that you need. You can also visit the website for To Write Love On Her Arms at twloha.com where you might be able to find resources and an online community that can help you cope. We are also here at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) if you need us.

No one deserves to feel unsafe at home. You can contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at home to get information about child abuse reporting or just for support. They can be reached at 1-800-422-4453.

Is there anyone at school, a counselor or other adult, that you trust that you think you can turn to for help or to advocate for you with your parents? Or possibly another family member? You can always give us a call and we can try to come up with options with you for who you can try to contact or what you can do. We also have a conference call service here where a liner can help mediate a conversation between you and your parents so yo can feel safe in speaking your feelings. Let us know if that i something you would be interested in.

Be safe,

NRS