I'm 12 and I want to run Away.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It takes a lot of courage to reach out, and we're glad you've taken the first step to get support and help. We want you to know that you are not alone and your life is valuable. Do you have people in your life that you can reach out to or a family member or adult that can help advocate for you to your parents? If you're ever feeling depressed or alone you can call the National Suicide Prevention Safeline at 1-800-273-8255 to get the support you need. We are also here 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) to listen.

We also have a conference call service here at NRS where a liner can help mediate a conversation between you and your parents where you can possibly feel safer voicing your feelings and coming to some resolutions. Let us know if that is something that you would be interested in. You also have the right to get information about child abuse and neglect reporting. You can call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 to get more information and advice surrounding these issues.

Stay safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 10, about to be 11 in march.
my dad is horrible he hits me for no reason.He calls me prosistute everyday and expect me to forgive him,like nothing happened.he curses me out everyday.he beats me almost everyday.he pulled out some of hair. he've been abusing me for most of my life. My mom protects me from him when shes their, but shes barely home my sisters try to protect me from him but he'll hit the to to get to me.my oldest sis try to protect me the most but she is barley home. he took a pole and continusley hit me with it and i fit back but he just hits me harder.he throw me into the wall severly times. iv been thinking about running away for years. it also dosent help when my teacher is a total **********. my friend are okay my teacher always seperate me from my freiends. im planning to save up some money and leave on the 24th of march or earlier. i wish i had someone to run away with.

[ccsmod2]

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We are very sorry to hear that your father abuses you and your mother protects him. Abuse is never okay and you don’t deserve to be treated that way. If you feel as though you are in immediate danger, we encourage you to contact 911. You have the right to report the abuse that you face at home. Child Help (1-800-422-4453) is a great resource to report the abuse and find out information about how to transfer custody. You could try talking to an adult that you trust such as a school counselor, they could report the abuse for you. We encourage you to take pictures of any bruises that you have as evidence of the abuse. Child Protective Services would do an investigation and if they find evidence of the abuse they would remove you from your home. You also have the option of asking your parents if they would allow you to stay with another family member or close friend.

You mentioned that you plan on running away by March, having a plan about where you would go and how you would take care of yourself is important. Since you are a minor, if you decide to leave home your family has the right to file a runaway report. With a runaway report, if the police find you they would return you home. Although running away is not against the law, if you decide to stay with a friend they could get in trouble for harboring a runaway. You could try asking your parents if they would allow you to stay with another family member. Please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat. Please be safe.

[Guest]

I’m 12 and I want to runaway

Me & my family are always arguing everyday and all the time we argue I go to my room and cry all the time . My mom already wants to kick me out the house . And I don’t want them to be my parents anymore I want someone else to be my parents . Because my mom always calls me stupid , idiot & other things

[ccsmod6]

Thank you for writing NRS, as there is a lot going on and we are here to help.

You don’t sound stupid, instead you sound aware of feelings that may best be shared with others. An option you have is talking to someone close to you about the arguments going on and the things your mom calls you. Some of those in your support network could include relatives, school counselors, teachers, and friends.

Also consider giving NRS a call at 800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We will listen to what is happening at home, help ensure you stay safe, and can offer resources to help answer your questions about leaving home. In most states, parents or guardians are legally responsible until you turn age 18 – therefore cannot kick you out. If the arguing becomes abusive or unsafe, you have the right to report what is happening to adults and authorities – including a call to 911.

[Guest]

I’m 11 and I need a way to run away because I’m being sold to a 40yrold to get married in a month I want to run away to California what should I do

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for contacting us at the National Runaway Safeline. We're so sorry to hear about the situation you are in. Is there anyone at school or another family member that can advocate for you in your situation? If not, don't hesitate to contact Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 to ask about your rights as a minor and about child abuse reporting. We can also be reached 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and we could possibly look up legal resources or other things that could help you in your situation.

Don't hesitate to give us a call,

NRS

[Guest]

Im 12 and want to run away


Hi, I'm a 12 yr old girl and I just don't wanna be here anymore. I'm overweight but I excersice all the time and an active. When I'm at home and I get something to eat everybody calls me fat. But when I dont they always yell at me and make me feel like i should be put In a hospital for an eating disorder.i want to run away almost everyday. My dad is really sick and could die, but he makes me feel like nothing. Me and my friend shayla were going to run away but she got out into a group home before we could. I'm always the secons choice and nobody cares about me. If someone is Calling me a ********** or anything like that nobody will let me sit somewhere else or none of my friends will move with me to be away from the bullying. But if that happens to ANYONE else they Will move or help them. My mom blames me for my sister doing grits my sister threatens to kill me. My mom says she will take me out of counseling if I tell her what happens at home, but If i call my mom a name she tells me that I'm an insane ********** and Is going to twist everything that happens to me and make me the bad guy. I am to scared to kill myself and I am a Christian. I just wish someosomeone will hire a bitman to kill me or someone would help me. I just wanna run away but I'm to scared and It is winter so I would probably die and I have 2 other sisters one I'm drumright close to the town I live in and one in Arizona but neither have room for me.. Please help.

[ccsmod15]

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you do not feel safe at home and that you are thinking about running away. We are very sorry to hear about the way your family has been treating you. Know that you do not deserve to be treated this way, especially in your home where you should feel safe and secure about yourself.

You mention that your sister threatens to kill you. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

It sounds like you have been thinking about suicide. This must be really painful for you. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.

You also mention that your parents have told you that you have an eating disorder. You should know that only medical professionals are qualified to make that diagnosis. If you want to get some more information about eating disorders or talk to someone about your specific situation, you can go to www.natonaleatingdisorders.org or call 1-800-931-2237. You can use this resource even if you do not have an eating disorder.

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).

-NRS

[Guest]

Hey i have been sexaully abused before and hit to bloody. and know im geting bulleid and i want out and im dont have my dad to help

[ccsmod8]

Hello there -

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. We are always here to listen and here to help in any way that we can. It can be very frustrating not knowing what to do or what your next step might be from this point on. Because we do get a large number of emails, we do have to limit email replies to three individual responses to answer any questions that you have or to provide you with a number of means of support. So it’s certainly not a means to communicate to get the full support that you can get if you called in. With that said, from reading your emails it sounds like you thinking about leaving home due to the abuse you face from your father. No one deserves to be treated that way at all. Just know that you always have the right to report any abuse (physical, mental, sexual, or neglect/abandonment) to your local police department or child protective service in your state. You have rights too. If calling out to child protective services is something that you don’t really feel comfortable with doing, you can always give us a call to help answer any questions about the process or to walk you through what steps there are. We can also help you file if you’re worried about doing it alone.

You also mentioned that you were raped to your father and he didn’t get you the amount of support that he should have. One great resource to get more support when it comes to this issue specifically is an agency called “RAINN” (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) and you can talk to them about what happened and what you are currently going through to help cope. You can reach them by dialing (1.800.656.4673).

Only you know when you need to leave you home due to it being unsafe. One thing that may be helpful for you is to possibly note when the abuse/yelling is happening or any triggers of the abuse/yelling (like after your abuser comes from work or after dinner and/or right when you get home) and to try to find things that can keep yourself away from home during those times (after school programs, sports program, study group at a friend’s house, getting involved in your volunteering, etc.). There is one resource in your area that offers help to woman is called “Women in Safe Home (WISH)”. You could possibly reach out to them and see how they might be able to help you in your situation. Their number is (918.682.787. You can also feel free to give us a call to look up to see what would be in your local area.

Hope that information helps!

[Guest]

I am 12 and want to runaway I lie and disobey but cannot stop please help

[ccsmod15]

Hello, thanks for posting to our forum! It shows a lot of courage to reach out when things feel hard!
Generally speaking, the legal age when you can move out is 18 in most states. Leaving without your parents’ permission before that, you could be considered a runaway. This means that your parents could file a report with the police and if the police come into contact with you, they return you back home. It isn’t a crime, but any adult you stay with could get into legal trouble, just so you know.
Considering where you would go, how you will eat, get to school, etc, are all important factors before leaving home. If you want to brainstorm more options, you can always call us here at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are here 24/7.
You also mentioned you lie and disobey and that you wanted help with that. Again, if you wanted to talk more about this, you can call anytime or live chat us on our website 1800runaway.org 4:30-11:30pm central time. You may also consider talking to a school counselor, a teacher, family member or other adult that you trust. They may be able to help you as well. A therapist may also be able to help with some of these feelings about lying and wanting to run away.
If you are interested in counseling or other resources or want to talk more about your situation, call us anytime or live chat in the evenings so we can best help you directly.
You have been so strong by reaching out today! Thank you so much and best of luck! Your situation sounds very stressful and you seem to be handling it well….good for you!

[Guest]

Hi, I'm twelve as well..my parents are abusive as well and there's no use in filing a report. I just need someone to run away with. Someone with a car or access to one. I don't care where we go, i just need to leave. Reply to this please..

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you’ve been going through such a tough time, but we are here to support you and help you in any way we can. We want you to know that no one deserves to be abused, and you should not have to go through that.

You mentioned that you don’t want to file an abuse report, but if you ever decide to file a report there are some resource you could use. If you’d like to get more information about abuse reporting or if you want help filing a report, you could call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 or you could call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us online. If you ever feel that you are in danger, you could call 911 for immediate help.

If you’re planning to run away from home, you could also consider thinking about the details for your plan. Where would you stay and how long would you be gone? How would you pay for food, clothing, shelter, or any other of your basic needs? What would you do if you felt unsafe?

There are also many resources that could help you find a safe place if you’re in need, talk about what’s been going on, or help you with anything else you may need. If you want to talk more about what’s been going on, or if you would like more information about resources, you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us online.

Again, thank you for contacting us. It sounds like you’ve been going through a really hard time, but you’ve shown a lot of strength by working through these challenges and reaching out for help. If you ever need anything in the future, please feel free to call us or chat with us online. We’re always here to listen and here to help.

[Guest]

Hello. I am a twelve year old girl that is obsessed with makeup, clothes, social media, friends, cats, and more. I get jealous easily and I care to much about how popular I am. I have to have the latest fashion and know what the trends are. I am also a ballet dancer. I just got my pointe shoes. I can be very rude to my parents. I just got grounded from my phones and I couldn't text any of my friends or tell anyone. Right now I am on my computer. so i will go back a couple days. on Saturday one of my best friends came over for a sleepover after dance. we had so much fun together. then on Sunday i guess i said my family was embarrassing in the kitchen.so now it is Monday. i am online schooled so i pretty much have to school myself. I can come in to a school but i have no friends and the school is pretty scary. Also my ex boyfriend is there. I heard from his friend that he didn't even like me and he thought i had no curves. i get this ugly body from my mom. at dance i scream at myself in my head and ask why i cant have a normal body. anyways, i took a shower and then got to school work. i got too stressed out and asked my mom for help but i started screaming at her. so then after a while i asked her again but then i told her i should get a pedicure sometime but she said my nails look beautiful without nail polish. she doesn't understand that i love beauty. i want to go on a diet but I'm too young she says. i want to buy Victoria secret but it is apparently to mature for me. so we went to target and bought ugly underwear and itchy bras for me. my dad doesn't want to pay for my dance anymore. I hate my dad so much. one time he came into my room at 930 and told me to go to bed. i said OK but i didn't listen and went to bed at my normal time at 10. then he did something else i cant remember. and i got invited to a birthday party and for some reason he was really interested and he cared about it. like since when was he even in my life. and my mom and dad don't even sleep together and all they do is argue. I am crying in my closet right now. i never want to see my ugly parents faces again. And my friends from my old school hate me and i thought they were my best friends. what if i just went out my fire exit window and ran away forever. would my family notice? what should i do. i feel like i should just hit my head against a wall until i die. but i probably wont go to heaven. -C

[ccsmod6]

Hi there,
Thank you so much for contacting the National Runaway Safeline and for sharing everything that’s going on. It sounds like there is a lot happening with your family, school, and life in general. It’s admirable of you to reach out for help.
First off, if you are ever seriously thinking about hurting yourself, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They can be reached over the phone at 1-800-273-8255 or online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. They are available 24/7 and are a great resource to help you with any thoughts of suicide, self-harm, depression, or anxiety. Even though you may feel that everything is working against you and there is no outlet, know that you are not alone.
Relationships between parents and their children are nearly always complicated. Growing up can be really challenging and sometimes it can be difficult for parents to really understand what their children are going through, even though they still love them. You asked if your parents would notice if you went out the fire escape and ran away, and the answer is of course they would. I’m sure that they would notice, miss you, and be worried about you. Home life can be difficult sometimes and it’s really difficult when your parents make you feel bad. Nobody should make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Know that you are beautiful and perfect just the way you are.
Lastly, we’d encourage you to utilize our other National Runaway Safeline services. First, we have a telephone hotline that you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). We also have a chat service that is available through our website daily from 4:30- 11:30pm CST. We will be best able to assist you through one of these services.
Thank you again for contacting us. Take care of yourself and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.
-NRS

[Guest]

I'm 12 years old Can you please help me
I was taken away from my mom when I was 5 years old because of drugs. I now live with my used to be chill African dad and 2 half twin sibling boy and girl they are 6. and one of my biological brothers the other one lives with my mom I'm also never allowed to see her or him ever again by law.6 or 7 years ago my awesome dad married my mean cruel step mom. She was always mean when I was 6 years old she made me clean the kitchen floor on my hands and knees every Saturday that still hasn't changed and I'm twelve. She calls me lots of very hurtful thing like ugly idiot and stupid she called my stupid a couple of hours ago. She already told me that she doesn't like me. When I slip up and do one thing wrong she doesn't talk to me for months and tells me to get away from her when she's with my siblings all three of them but leaves me out. But this has been the hardest I have no ,more hope that God will get me out of this so I feel like killing my self or running away but I have no where to go. She tells my dad what mistakes I make which makes him Mad at me and he yells but I did nothing wrong. So last week my two half siblings didn't go to school because they were sick but me and my brother did and I had to get their homework after school so I did. remember my step mom is African so she is not different but she was mad at me for like four weeks now and she still is but I brought it home and left it on the counter she didn't even touch it and I don't want to talk to her because I was hurt because she was mean to me for no reason at all. but my half brother told her that they had home work so she said to let my brother help them but he said okay but then didn't do it. So now that the due date came and she was like why didn't you tell me but I was scared so I lied and said that my half sister brought it but she caught on and said I couldn't even tell her and she also always accuses meand says that I always steals from the pantry but it's never me she does that because when I was little you know that when you where little once in a while you might take people a cookie or two she always hit me for it and yelled at me and to this day she has never let it go so the minute one small snack goes missing I'm her first suspect even when she know very well that I don't like it and yes she's that mean that we have to ask her for a simple COOKIE we can't go and get one like any other normal person. But y she's mean to me and she said multiple times she doesn't know why I'm here and I'm not part of the family and I'm hurt I also feel like she's turning my siblings and dad against me my dad hates me now he used to talk to me a lot now I don't even exist and I'm really sad I don't know what to do I have no more hope that I will get out of this.please respond because I need help fast everyday she hates me more and more sometimes she denies me food and makes me cook my own but I'm twelve I don't have many recipes I can only cook Ramen noodles because again I'm twelve.

[ccsmod5]

Hey,
Thank you so much for writing in. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It sounds like you’re in a really scary and painful situation, and we want you to know that you don’t deserve to be treated this way ever. It’s not okay that your stepmom makes you feel like you’re not part of the family. It’s not okay that she hits you or that she denies you food. It’s not okay that she says all of those hurtful things, and it’s also not okay that your father has not stepped in to support you. None of this is right and you don’t deserve to be in this situation. You absolutely deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported at home. You took a brave step in reaching out and we’d like to help as much as we can.

First, you mention that you’ve been thinking of killing yourself. Please know that you’re not alone. If you ever feel like you’re in danger of hurting yourself, you can always call 9-1-1. Another helpful resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. We here are also here to listen if you ever need: 1-800-786-2929.

You also mention that your stepmother has deprived you of food and has hit you. This is not okay. We’re not legal experts, but this may qualify as neglect or abuse. You have the right to file an abuse report with child protective services. You can do that a couple different ways. You can confide in a teacher, guidance counselor, or perhaps a coach. Any one of these people are mandated reporters, meaning that they have to report any abuse they hear about. You can also call the National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453. This hotline can give you more information about what the process of reporting looks like and what might happen if you do file an abuse report. Another option is to give us a call and we can also make that abuse report for you.

You mention wanting to leave home. We’re not legal experts, but generally speaking you need to be 18 to leave home without parental consent. If you do choose to leave without permission, your family would have the right to file a runaway report. If the police find you, they may return you home. However, if you let the police know that there is abuse going on at home, they are supposed to investigate that situation. Another option might be to ask your dad for permission to live with a friend or another family member.
That being said, if you do choose to leave home, it’s important to think about your safety. You might wanna think about where you’ll go, who you’ll stay with and for how long, and how you’ll get money and food.

If you want to talk more about the situation, please feel free to call us any time, day or night. We’re here to listen and here to help. Best of luck to you, and stay strong.

--NRS

[Guest]

I’m 11 and I want to run away. I’ve been thinking about it the last couple months. I was scared to post on here at first but yeah. I don’t have abusive parents or anything like that but at school I feel overwhelmed and I’m so stressed. I stood up against my dad when I got a D in a class and that was so scary because he is in the airforce so he has a loud and strict yell. My parents had their first ever fight about a month ago and won’t even sleep in the same room so it stresses me more. Also at school I had a crush on this boy and told him but I was rejected and he told the whole school that I liked him and I felt like I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I have a friend who also wants to run away and she is in it with me but we have no clue where to go and how to get out with money, Food, Water , And other stuff. I also am afraid if my friend and I go then sleep somewhere outside or something we might get raped or killed so that’s another thing. Thank you for your time.

[ccsmod6]

Hi,

Thanks so much for taking the time to reach out to us tonight. It sounds like you are in a pretty difficult spot in your life right now. It is good to hear you are not getting abused, but we are sorry school is not going very well. School can be really hard, and getting good grades and having crushes on people is not easy sometimes. It's unfortunate that the boy you liked did that to you, it sounds like it must have been pretty unfair and made you feel embarrassed. There is nothing wrong with having a crush on someone, and sometimes rejection happens, but that's okay! It must make you feel misunderstood to be going through those things at home and then having to deal with those issues at home, too.

Though we are not legal experts, we can tell you a little bit about runaway laws. If you run away from home your parents could file a runaway report with the police department. Running away is not illegal, but it is considered a status offense. This means that the police would be looking for you and would bring you back home if they found you, but you would not get arrested or go to jail or anything like that. It makes sense that you are hesitant because of the safety reasons. It sounds like you're trying to be responsible and you are thinking of all the things that could happen if you left. It can be difficult to leave home and survive out there as a 11 year old. You and your friend would have to think of things like where you would stay, how you could continue going to school, how you would make money, and more. There is a lot to think about when making such a big decision.

If you would like to talk more about what you're going through please feel free to reach out to us again! You can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We are 24/7 so you can call anytime and someone will be there to help you out as best as we can. We wish you the best of luck with everything!

[Guest]

im 12 i want to run away im tired of getting beat by parents and tired of getting blamed on stuff i didn't do even tho they make me mad and my brothers are annoying i just try my best to be a good person but sometime i don't do stuff right and i wanna do right but i want help i have no sholder too cry on i just need someone plz and my parents allways argue i and go back and fourth i just then i just got in a fight now teachers think im a bad person then i hate the look of my self im ungly i will always be like that im good at sports wanna do some but can't always somthing in my way its either my life or this world if i left this world i think everyone will have a better life But i just want to be alone and run away and make my own money get my own i just tired of my life im ready to leave im just want a better life

[ccsmod15]

Hello,

Thanks so much for reaching out to us. We’re so sorry to hear that things are so challenging at home. No one has the right to hurt you, and we hope that the information we provide will help you explore your options. You are not alone, and it sounds like you’re looking to explore ways to address your situation. We can’t tell you what to do, but we can share resources that might be helpful.

We want you to know that you are not alone. It is never ok for anyone to beat or physically hurt you, and if this is happening at home, you have the right to report that. Organizations like Child Help, available at 800.422.4453 and www.childhelp.org can help you find your nearest child protective services agency so that you can file something called an abuse report. It doesn’t guarantee that you would be removed from your home, but it does let your local child protective services agency know that you are feeling unsafe. If you are concerned about calling in, or you have questions about what you would need to share to make the report, feel free to reach out to us. Even if you just want someone to talk to, know that we are here for you.

In your message, you identified running away as an option you might consider. If this is something you’re considering, it’s important to consider where you might go, how long you would stay there, as well as what resources you would need to get where you want to go, how you would support yourself, and how you would keep yourself safe. Beyond these considerations, there’s some basic information on leaving home that might be helpful. If you’re considered a minor in your state, your parents or legal guardians can file a runaway report with their local police department. We’re not legal experts, but from what we understand, although it is not illegal to run away, it is considered a status offense in some states. If you are caught by local police, they would either return you home or have your parents pick you up. Although it’s not illegal to run away, it is a misdemeanor for anyone that chooses to let you stay with them. They may be charged harboring a runaway or aiding and abetting a minor.

Whatever you decide, know that we are here to support you. We won’t tell you what to do, but we will do our best to help you stay safe. If you would like more information on local resources, or if you just want to talk to someone, please do not hesitate to reach out. We’re available 24/7 at 1.800.RUNAWAY (786.2929), also via chat every day from 4:30pm – 11:30pm CST. We wish you all the best. Stay safe!

-NRS

[Guest]

I’m 12 am I want to run away from home .I suffer from depression and ptsd after my brother death this year .my mom has been married to my stepdad for 5 years now and I just never liked him , he yells and me and my brother but now to his own blood son ... he also instigates me and my moms fights . I feel like before they where together my mom was different she was always happy, nice , don’t get mad easily but now since they are married she is the opposite of all those things . I just want to leave home but I don’t want to go to my biological dads house,because he doesn’t treat me good.

[ccsmod5]

Hey,
Thanks for writing in. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot and it’s understandable that you would wanna get out of that situation. It can be so difficult dealing with the loss of someone you love, and we imagine it’s even more difficult when your stepdad yells at you. We’re not legal experts, but generally speaking you need to be 18 to leave home without your parents’ permission. If you do, your family would have the right to file a runaway report and if the police find you they will return you home. Another option that you might consider is asking your mom if you can stay with a friend or another family member so that you can separate yourself from the situation for a while.
It sounds like you have a lot going on that impacts your mental health. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone about how you’ve been feeling, like a therapist or a guidance counselor at school. That person might also be able to help you have a conversation with your mom about how you’ve been feeling. Together you and your mom may be able to come to an understanding about what sorts of things you need from her and how she can support you better; this is always an option that you can consider. Here at NRS, we also offer conference call services and can help you have that conversation with your mom if you do decide you want to do that.
Best of luck to you and stay strong,
NRS