I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[Guest]

running away to my friends

hello im 10 and thinking of running away im in a bad place like lots of yelling i will most likely talk about it to my friend and see if they agree so yeah
i barely know anything i have some money im waiting till i get my allowance then run , im a bit scared to do it but i wanna do whats good for me
i will keep in contact with my sister and tell her im fine once i get to my friends house and tell her the plans and yeah i will update when im safe

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us, we understand it can take great courage to ask for help. Leaving home can be a really big decision, and we hope you stay safe. We are always here to offer support and help you talk through a plan. 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth. 10 is a very young age, and there could be the possibility that police get your local child protective services involved. If you are feeling unsafe at home, reaching out to your local child protective services is always an option. We are always here to help you explore this option or even help you make an abuse report.

Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but 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 call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). If there is any way we can support you, please do not hesitate to reach out at any time. We are completely confidential and open 24/7. We hope to hear from you soon!

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 12 and I’m thinking of running away I’ve already planned my situation out and wrote letters notifying my parents that I haven’t been kidnapped the reason I want to run away is because the household is way to toxic and I’ve talked about my issues with a few people and I’ve known realize my mom mentally abuses me and I can’t take it anymore I already have the whole thing planned out the only thing I’m scared of is getting scared and then stopping in mid plan I’ve been planing this for about 5 months now and I really think it’s a good idea I am well aware of the real world problems and stuff and how dangerous it can be but I am very mature for my age I understand the things that go around and I’m just thing to keep myself safe do you think this is a good idea?and if so please give me some tips on how I can make this happen

[ccsmod15]

Hello –

Thank you for contacting us here at the National Runaway Safeline. We understand that it takes great courage to reach out. We are sorry to hear about your situation, no one deserves to be treated that way, especially by someone who is supposed to be a support system for you.

It is important to know that you have options and resources to help advocate for yourself. We are non-directive and will never tell you what you should or should not do. We are solely here to act as a resource for you to explore your options and provide as much helpful information as possible.

If you would like to discuss the reasons as to why you want to runaway or you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

We hope the information provided helps. Remember we are available 24/7 and can be toll-free reached at the number listed above. We are confidential, anonymous, and non-direct.

Best Wishes

~NRS

[Guest]

I'm a 12 year old boy and i wanna run away, My parents always come home drunk and yell at each other (occasionally hit) and scream at me, say im a mistake and things like that, they hit me if i get a B on a test, i have no phone so i can't call anyone to help and i dont have friends i can stay with, please help

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today.

First and foremost no one has the right to abuse you. It is not your fault that your parents ar treating you this way. You are not alone and there is resources and support out there for you. NRS is here to listen and help.

If you are being abused, making a decision to file an abuse report can be a difficult decision to make. At the National Runway Safeline, we are here to listen and to help you explore options as you talk through this tough decision. It can be helpful to know that most professional adults in your life like doctors, teachers, counselors, hotline workers etc. are mandated reporters. That means if they know about an abusive situation they are required to report it to a local Child Abuse Hotline or Child Welfare Department. The team at NRS are also mandated reporters, however since we are anonymous, you would have to disclose to us key identifying information before we would be required to file a report (like you’re and the abusers full name and contact information). If you do decide to file a report, we can help you either by filing a report on your behalf or guide you through the reporting process. You can also call Childhelp, the National Child Abuse Hotline, at 1-800-422-4453 for more information about what constitutes abuse and what might happen if you do file a report. In addition, any person (like a friend’s parent or one of your relatives) with knowledge of abuse should file a report.

If you need a safe place to go and do not have a phone, please chat us at www.1800runaway.org if you would like us to look for shelter resources near you. Here at NRS, we are primarily concerned about your safety. We are here for you; 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm a 12 year old boy and i wanna run away, My parents always come home drunk and yell at each other (occasionally hit) and scream at me, say im a mistake and things like that, they hit me if i get a B on a test, i have no phone so i can't call anyone to help and i dont have friends i can stay with, please help

I'm want to run away too also it's hard my mom doesn't support my decisions and I never felt happy in my life I want live somewhere else.

[ccsmod7]

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

[Guest]

well Im 13 and My parents hate me they say i make there lives horrible and yesterday my dad hit me then he cut my arm and wouldn't let me get a band aid my Mom did nothing I want to leave but I have no money I have food and clothes I'm leaving tomorrow wish me luck

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

We are sorry to hear your parents are treating you so badly. You do not deserve to be hit or cut. That is wrong and you have the right to make an abuse report. You can do that by calling Child Help (www.childhelp.org) at 1-800-422-4453 or your state's child abuse reporting hotline. If you are in immediate danger you can also dial 911.

As for leaving home: if you choose to do so your parents could file a runaway report on you. Most likely you would be found and the police would inquire as to what is going on. Another option would be to seek out some adults in your life that you trust to get involved. Maybe that's another relative, teacher, school counselor, or anyone that you feel could help and that you trust.

We want to help further but need a bit more information from you to see how we can do so. The best way we can help would be for you to either call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us through the chat feature on our website: www.1800runaway.org.

Please be safe! We hope to hear from you soon!

NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm 11 and I don't like my life I have hard school and diabetes my mom helps at me my stepdad makes me stressed but my dad is the same with my mom I wanna run away but I dont have the courage to do it what do I do

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are going through some intense stuff and we want to support you. Whether or not you feel like you need to run away is up to you and whether or not you feel safe where you are. We would be happy to help you in whatever way we can. We can provide referrals to mental health resources, shelters, legal advocacy, among other things. We can also just talk you through whatever your situation is and help you figure out what your options are. We aim to empower youths and we prioritize their safety and their well-being. If you are interested in anything that we have to offer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi, I am 11 years old almost 12 and I want to run away. My dad he is an abuser he hits me and yells at me. I am forced to do everything for him clean the house, Cook, etc. However my mother is a mental abuser she yells at me for being a failure and then hugs me. I am scared. I don't want to call the police. This has been happening for about 5 years now. My heart hurts and I desperatly need help. If I have to deal with this another year I probably won't be alive. I have a sister but she is kind of spoiled. I am the unlucky one. My parents are horrible people but I have to stay with them until I am 18! I feel like I am dying everyday. I even have thoughts to cut myself with a knife. I want to run away so bad but I need a person who can do it with me and tell me everything will be okay. Unfortunatly I have not found anyone. I need help soon, I don't know how long I can keep this up. My life is horrible I am hoping that the future will be bright but my future might dissapear soon so HELP ME PLEASE!!!

[ccsmod15]

Hello –

Thank you for contacting us here at the National Runaway Safeline. We understand that it takes great courage to reach out. We are sorry to hear about your situation, no one deserves to be treated that way, especially by someone who is supposed to be a support system for you.

It is important to know that you have options and resources to help advocate for yourself. A great resource for you could be the National Child Abuse Hotline. You can reach them at 1-800-422-4453. You can call them anonymously to learn about the abuse reporting process, or directly report abuse to this line. They are a good resource for talking through your options if there is verbal/physical abuse going on at home.

To learn more about your options, or if you just need someone to talk to, give us a call 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We hope the information provided helps. Remember we are available 24/7 and can be toll-free reached at the number listed above. We are confidential, anonymous, and non-direct. We can also be reached via live chat anytime.

Best Wishes

~NRS

[Guest]

I'm 12 as well!

Hi. I've thought of running away since 4th grade. Recently I've been researching what I need to pack, and getting ready. I want to find a group or buddy to leave with, but I can't find one. I don't have access to a phone, and I can't come on the chat, because my parents won't let me. They only let me get on the computer if I'm doing school work, and I have no privacy. Any tips on how to find someone to run away with? My school blocks the experience project site. I would feel better and safer if I had someone to runaway with. Then we could bring half the supplies, and we would be safer. How do I find a runaway buddy? Also, HELP ME!!!

Hello, I am Ami. I have the same situation as you. Maybe can we talk? I live in California and want to run away too. Maybe we can talk to each other? Thanks! BTW maybe we can be runaway buddies?

[ccsmod15]

Hello Ami,

Thanks so much for reaching out, and for offering support to someone on our forum. It can be really challenging trying to figure out next steps, and we understand that sometimes it helps to see how others approach their situations. We encourage anyone that is contemplating running away to reach out to us. We are available 24/7 by phone 1.800.RUNAWAY (786.2929) or via chat by visiting our page, https://www.1800runaway.org/ . Please know that we are here to listen and support you. Stay safe!

NRS

[Guest]

Hello, I am Ami. I have the same situation as you. Maybe can we talk? I live in California and want to run away too. Maybe we can talk to each other? Thanks! BTW maybe we can be runaway buddies?

I could runaway with you I'm also 12 my email is *****

[Guest]

im 12 and i want to run away because all we do is stay at home and fight all the time we cant go one day without fighting so im going to a friends house

[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 seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and 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, the 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.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im a 12 year old girl who wants to run away. I want to go live with a friend but my mother wont let me. I can't ever have a conversation without my mom yelling at me. She says she loves me but i dont believe it. She yells at me for the stupidest reasons for example. One time i put too much milk in the mac and cheese she started yelling at me and of course yelled back because as she says all i do is think about my self. But when she calls me shellfish sometimes I think maybe I am. Sometimes i think it would be better if i were dead but to be honest i'm scared to die. So feel like the best option would be running away but i'm also scared to do that because there are bad people out there and im a girl.

[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 seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and 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, the 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.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I’m 12 years old and I want to run away because I sleep on the floor and my people that I live with don’t care they only buy things for my sisters and brothers and I have to feed my self but if I run away I will go to my dad’s but if I run away I might get kidnaped so I don’t know what to do.

[ccsmod4]

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out. 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 and we would be glad to speak with you about strategies or options that might help you to cope better with your situation.
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).


We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I really want to runaway,
I’m 12 and I’m sick and tired of being a disappointment I’m at a foster home. I’ve been at this foster home for 2 months but I can’t cope I’m such a disappointment my foster mom seems to hate me or cares but not really so I’m not sure what to do,, I’m hoping to find someone to meet up with I’m tired of being a disappointment or a burden on cps and my new foster family, I’m seriously considering this other than that I’m twelve I’m depressed and my grade are slipping I can’t stand it anymore.

[ccsmod15]

Hey there,
Thanks for reaching out to NRS, it seems like you are feeling really pressured and isolated in your foster home. Changes can be hard to cope with for sure and you deserve to have support as you go through all of this. CPS and your foster parents have taken on this role, you don’t need to feel like a burden since they chose to take this on and you deserve to have support and their protection since it seems like you weren’t getting that from your parents.
It might be helpful to ask for more mental health support as you go through these difficult times. https://nami.org/Home is a good place to start and learn a bit about what things you are feeling. You could also talk to your Case Worker about how you are feeling as there might be additional support CPS could be providing for you, or at least they can help clear up your feelings about being a burden. They are in that position of CPS, or Foster parent because they want to help kids and made it part of their daily lives.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and 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, the 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 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 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.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 12 and I want to go
hi im 12 and I want to get away from my strict parents there always stressing and yelling at me about my grades in school and they give me way more chores than my sister if I have the chance should I run or should I stay?

[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 seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and 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, the 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 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 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.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I have a friend who needs to run away. She's twelve years old and has severe depression, her parents are abusive and the mom's an alcoholic. Is there a way you can help her?

[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 seems there is a lot that your friend is faced with right now and you’re wanting to find a way to help them as they mentioned wanting to run away. It’s great that your friend has support and concern from you especially since this time is quite difficult for them.
Having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. 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).
We’re here to listen and to help and hope you or your friend can reach out soon.
Take care,
NRS