Can my step-dad hit me?

[Guest]

my step dad is so rude to me, some times he smacks me or hits me, sometimes he yanks my hair and pushes me or throws me to the ground. He is barly ever nice to me. my mom doesn't do anything about. I don't like being at home.
Why does my step dad hit me he is barly ever nice, when my moms not home he is so mean. he hits me, smacks me , pushes me, yanks my hair, but my mom doesn't do anything im afraid to tell her because she will tell him and i don't know what he will do if he finds out. I hate being at home and i want my step dad to leave me alone he is seriously my main problem im only 12 years old and I don't know what to do.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for contacting NRS. It sounds like you are in a very difficult situation. It is very brave of you to take steps to improve your situation. We’re glad you reached out to us and we will do our best to help you find resources that may be helpful to you.



No one deserves to be treated the way you are being treated. It is not OK for your step dad to hit you. It is also your Mom’s responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment for you. If you feel you are in danger, you can always call 911.



You could also consider contacting your local Division of Child Protective Services. . They may be able to help you find resources to help with your situation. If you are uncomfortable making the call, you can call us and one of our volunteers can make the call with or for you. We can also help you file an abuse report.



Another potential resource is the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at www.childhelp.org or 1-800-4-A-CHILD (422-4453). Childhelp is a 24-hour hotline with volunteers who can talk to you about your situation and provide resources that may be helpful to you.



Do you have friends or family that you are comfortable talking to about your situation? Do you have a teacher or counselor at school you are comfortable talking to? They may have advice or ideas that may be helpful to you. If you think it would be helpful to you, you can also call us and we can arrange a conference call with your Mom to talk about what is going on with your step dad.



You can also always contact us via chat at www.1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We have volunteers available 24/7 to talk and to help you find resources that may be helpful to you.



We wish you the best!

[Guest]

is it okay if your step dad punched your little brother in the throat and chest any times because his daughter eyes were crossing and he called her cocked eyed

[Guest]

My stepdad did the same thing a couple weeks ago only after i pushed him off and got away he chased me into my room and i had to punch and kick to get him off. Then I got blamed for it happening... -_-

Im 12 and i geting beat up and i keep tring to run away

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are very sorry to hear you are getting beat up. You do not deserve to be abused. If you feel comfortable talking about the abuse it can be helpful to talk to a trusted adult in your life like another family member, school counselor, or friend’s parent. If you prefer to talk to an anonymous resource like us you can reach out to Child Help, the child abuse hotline, by calling them at 1-800-422-4453 or chatting with them at their website, www.childhelp.org. If you would like to file an abuse report, we can file one with you or for you if you give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us at our website www.1800runaway.org. You can also file one on your own at www.childhelp.org if you would like.

Feel free to reach out again to us anytime as we are available 24/7 and are completely confidential. Best of luck!

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

my step dad(32) is very abusive and always threatens me(12) and my older brother(15) he always acts like the victim when its really me and my brother who are the victims, for example a year or 2 ago(he was way more abusive) i was just cleaning up the house whilst he was asleep and my younger brother was eating and making a mess, so he wakes up and sees the mess my brother made and sees me and was like" who the f*** made this mess and why is this Bologna" i said it was A-" before i could even finish my sentence he threw me to the ground and started to hit me non stop. that was one of the thousands of examples. hes been beating me for as long as i can remember. a few weeks ago my step dad got mad at me for a stupid reason and he came in my room and started to yell and threaten me and i looked at him in the eyes and got enraged for eye contact. (HOW dumb are you to get enraged by eye contact) and he said go to bed and then he straight smashes my phone he didnt pay a penny for. my real dad bought that phone(my real dad is like my best friend) so i get super mad but i let it slide after he left my room he was still talking S***. there is one thing he said that i hate being called because i would never be it is homo after he said that i didnt let slide i started yelling at him and he came in my room saying" DO SOMETHING YOU TOUGH NOW" i was bouta beat him when he pushed to the ground. now i aint scared of nobody but i do know i cant beat him if he gets on me because hes heavy and big so i gotta keep a pocket knife on me i dont care if i go to jail atleast he would be out of my life. i really want to runaway but i have nowhere to go because my dad doesnt have his own place and my grandparents dont have anymore space and i dont have any friends and i cant call 911 because i dont have a phone. no im not homophobic either. he always threatens my older brother also. and i forgot to mention he doesnt feed me when my mom is not at my house i havent eaten anything all weekend because he only feeds the other kids not me. so im pretty hungry

[ccsmod15]

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. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

hello is it alright for my step dad to make me take my clothes off when i was misbehaving or put his knee on my neck and pressure point me

[ccsmod15]

Hello, thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline! It takes a lot of courage to speak up about what is happening at home. We are here to support you during this time.



It is not ok for your stepdad to make you take off your clothes and put his knee on your neck, regardless of you misbehaving. We are sorry that you are going through this at home.



You can report any mistreatment to Child Protective Services. Child Help 1-800-422-4452 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from harm and can help with filing an abuse report. NRS is available to have a conference call with their agency if you need support with making a report.



You can also talk to a trusted adult about what is going on if you do not want to make a report yourself. This could be a school counselor or a teacher who can provide you support. You are not alone in this! NRS provides 24/7 call services or live chats if you want to discuss this further.



Thank you again for reaching out!
NRS

[Guest]

my dad hits me a lot calls me ********y names like he dont give a ******** bout me my step dad then later he goes like a sorry lets restart the next day he gets mad over a game

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us at the NRS. It sounds like this is a very hurtful and scary situation. It’s important to remember that there is a difference between what he is allowed to do legally and what he should be doing as your parent. Legally, your stepdad is allowed to be mad at you. But at the same time, that doesn’t make it okay for him to hit you or call you names when he gets upset over a game. None of that is okay for your stepdad to do to you, and you don’t deserve to be treated like that.

If you’re feeling like you’d like to talk more about how you’re feeling about this, and if there’s any way we can help you ensure you stay safe, please feel free to reach out to us at 1(800) RUNAWAY. You can also chat with one of our crisis counselors online at 1800runaway.org. Take care, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

can my stepdad hit me, damage my phone and can I kick him out

[ccsmod15]

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. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

So for the past month or so my step dad gets really mad at me for not doing chores around the house (trash,laundry,cat litter) and he call me a "lazy b**** a*** gen z" and thinks that every time i mess up he brings that up and says "kids in your gen think that its all sunshine and rainbows and yall think everything is going to be handed to you" Well i got a old cracked iPhone 6 that my friend didn't want anymore and i got it from him so i could finally get a phone (bc my step dad thinks that i coudlnt have a phone until i get a job) which i think is unfair bc my 6 yr old brother has a iPhone 10 to play with and im 15 and in 10th grade high school and it is so aggravating i only have a stupid laggy samsung tablet i have this game called Pokemon go and your supposed to collect Pokemon and stuff and he plays it too and you can trade them in game and he takes all of my good ones and leaves me with ********ty ones this is not the first time i hid a phone from him and he found it and smashed it with a slege hammer,and i got grounded since like October and last time i was grounded i was supposed to be grounded for a month (bc i was playing video games when i was not supposed to be) which i think was unreasonable and that month turned in to 1 year and 8 months,im stilll grounded to this day,and he tells me to clean all rooms in my house and vacuum them i told him no multiple times and he said"you do not tell me what you want to do i tell you what to do" i said no again and he grabbed my arm and folded it behind my back and put all his body weight on me an screams and spits in my face he makes fun of me all the time and smacks me in the back of the head a lot and every time i put my hands up to defend myself he says"you hit me im going to treat you like a grown up and punch you and knock you out and when you wake up you will be missing some teeth" and i hate him so much and he thinks he can do what ever he wants to me i want to get away from him and school is the only way and when i come home he sends me straight to my room and he falls asleep i come out and and try to watch tv my life sucks =(

[ccsmod15]

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. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

hi uh..my stepdad is just horrible. just yesterday i came home from school and he was all drunk and mad at me for no reason, so i head to my room and he comes in telling me that hes gonna put a lock on my door, hes gonna put my head through walls and death threatening me. i dont like to admit it but im scared for myself. im so sick and tired of the way im being forced to live. what should i do..

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We want you to know that no matter what, you do not deserve to be hit by your stepfather or another family member that is harming you. We want you to know that seeking out for help takes a lot of courage and we are glad that you found us. Please keep in mind that you have every right to call the police if you believe your life is in danger or if you are in a dangerous environment.
You can also report child abuse anonymously by going on to the website childhelp.org, or talking to a teacher or another trusted adult who can file for you. You can contact us to talk this over further and allow us to listen and help. You can call our hotline at (1-800-786-2929) or chat us through this website.  We hope you would contact us via our live chats or by phoning our toll-free number; we truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Am I allowed to get hit if I raise my tone at my step dad for not allowing me to do nothing and is super strict?

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We want you to know that no matter what, you do not deserve to be hit by your stepfather or another family member that is harming you. We want you to know that seeking out for help takes a lot of courage and we are glad that you found us. Please keep in mind that you have every right to call the police if you believe your life is in danger or if you are in a dangerous environment.
You can also report child abuse anonymously by going on to the website childhelp.org, or talking to a teacher or another trusted adult who can file for you. You can contact us to talk this over further and allow us to listen and help. You can call our hotline at (1-800-786-2929) or chat us through this website.  We hope you would contact us via our live chats or by phoning our toll-free number; we truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 11 years old but recently my mums boyfriend of 5 years broke up with her so I want to share what happened I was 9-10 I asked my mum for bread and she said yes I went to my room and he come in there and threatened to beat me that was one of the things he did he would pin me down and start hugging me it made me really uncomfortable or even kissing this lead me to become extremely antisocial and judgmental If a male boy or any gender was near me. He would touch my thighs and make me extremely uncomfortable and treated my grandma horrible he would shout at her and do horrible things he made it clear he did not love my mother.

[ccsmod2]

Hi and thank you for reaching out to NRS! We are sorry to hear that your Step Dad treated you this way. It is absolutely not ok for him to hurt you in the ways that you described. He does not have the right to treat you that way. You didn't deserve that and you have the right to be treated with love and respect. That must've been really scary for you! You can reach out to the national abuse hotline if you'd like to report it at 1-800-422-4433 or you can go to www.childhelp.org. We are also available to help make a report or talk about further options through chat at www.1800runaway.org or if you'd like to talk to someone in person, you can call us at 1-800-runaway. Another suggestion you may find helpful would be to share this information with a close and trusted family member or friend or talk to a school counselor so that you can get some support. We hope you find this information helpful to you! Please reach back out at anytime, We are available 24/7. Wishing you all the best, NRS!

[Guest]

My mom and my step dad keep spraying and pouring cold water on me and hitting my and yesterday my mom gave me her cash app card at sams club and she told me to get slushies for my gramma and my brother and so i got me one too and a pizza slice and my step dad took othe of them away and gave both of them to my 6 yr old brother and and i told him that he is a jerk and he cant do that and he grabbed my arm and said i dont give a crap if we are in public i will still whoop your ass and i started crying and when we got home i took all he groceries in and he bumpted me and i fell and i said what was that for and he punched me in my arm and i screamed because it hurt and then he pushed me to the ground and kicked my h=with his boots and i went outside to go get more and i fell to the ground and he screamed to get the hell off the ground i want to go to shool and be myself for once but when i get home he yells at me so much and he said im tired of playing games with me and calls me big head and dumbass and idiot and lazy b**** i dont want to live here anymore

[ccsmod6]

Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. First off, no- it is not okay for your step-dad, your mom- any one that is your legal guardian to hit you or kick you. You absolutely do not deserve that, and we’re so sorry to hear that that happened.

It takes a lot of bravery to reach out for help when things like this are happening. It is usually helpful to talk about what’s going on at home with people you can trust - teachers/coaches/friend’s parents. We also have a live chat (1800Runaway.org) and phone line (1-800-RUNAWAY/1-800-786-2929) that are open 24/7, 365.
We urge you to reach out to us if you need to talk. It is also important to know that if you are ever feeling like you are in immediate danger at home, you can always dial 9-1-1 to contact the local authorities.

Another resource that may be helpful is an organization called Childhelp. Childhelp provides information about abuse and abuse reporting. They have a live chat and hotline as well. You can find out more at Childhelp.org.

Again, we think you are very brave for reaching out to us, and hope you’ll reach out to our live chat or phone lines if you have any other questions or want to talk. Good luck with everything.

NRS

[Guest]

so i acidentlly stepped on my brother's toe then he burstes out in tears then my step dad pools me in his room he looks for the belt then beats me while he beats me i say you dont have the right to hit me your just my stepdad not my DAD so he beats me way harder here i am now with brusis all over my arm

[ccsmod2]

Thank you so much for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. I am so very sorry to hear you are going through such a tough time!! Your stepfather’s behavior is something that you should NEVER be subjected to and I hope you understand that.



First and foremost, let me give you a phone number for you to call should that occur again. It’s 1-800-422-4453 which is the telephone helpline for Child Help. It’s an organization that offers confidential help and support to children who are experiencing abuse. Their website is www.childhelp.org.



It really would be great if you could reach out to us at www.1800runaway.org via out chat option or at 1-800-796-2929 should you want to speak to someone in person. Speaking together we would be able to get a bit more about your living situation which would allow us to look at our database for resources close to where you live. Hopefully we could also discuss ideas with you that will give you ways to deal with the situation as well as get you and your siblings in a safe place.



Again, thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. Really hope to hear from you soon!



Sincerely,



National Runaway Safeline.

[Guest]

So a few days ago I came home from school and I had to do my chores and I forgot to do one witch was sweep the floor.. So my step dad got angry and said "you useless brat" them he slapped me on my face. Now I'm 13 and now he's treating me worse and my mom doesn't even care about me. Its like I'm a maid or some sort of slave in this house and the level of anger for me is irritating. My real dad is saying that if I do run away try to go to him but he's in Chicago. What should I do?

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We recognize the courage and the strength that it takes to reach out in these situations. We are deeply sorry to hear about the experiences you are having at home. It sounds like there is quite a bit going on and that you may potentially have options in this situation. We welcome you to please reach out to us through our online chat portal or give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We could use the opportunity to talk further with you about the situation and help you come up with a plan of some sort, depending on what options you may have. Please know your safety and well-being mean the most and at any time you feel that you may be in danger, we empower you to please call 911. We look forward to the opportunity to talk further with you about this and we wish you health, safety, and peace in the meantime.

Kind regards,
NRS

[Guest]

hi im chastity and im 12 my two big cousins ran away from home and today at school crying the oldest cousin is 16 the second oldest one is i think 13 i relley want them to come back home because they have a lilttle sister shes 5 the second oldest one brithday was yesterday.plz bring them back home plz

[ccsmod15]

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 want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time with your cousins leaving home. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, 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.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS