I want to Leave

Hi there, thanks for contacting National Runaway Safeline. It seems you have some concerns about leaving your home. Hopefully we can be of assistance to you. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time at home. You are very strong to have made it this far with all you are dealing with. Just so you know, leaving your home is not a crime especially if you are feeling neglected or not cared about. You do have the right to report any abuse or neglect in the home. If you would like to know more about what that would look like or how you could possibly report, Child Help may be a helpful resource. Their website is childhelp.org and their hotline is 1800-422-4453. Regarding you potentially leaving the home, at 16 you are still legally considered a minor. Due to being a minor, your legal guardian(s) or parent(s) are legally responsible for making some decisions for you, including where you live. So, if you choose to leave home without consent and you are filed as a runaway, if you were to encounter authorities and it be discovered you are filed as a runaway you would be at risk of having to go back home if you are still at the age of a minor. However, running away or leaving your home as a minor is not illegal and there may be several resources for you if you decide that is the best option. If you would like to talk further about this and learn more about your options, feel free to give us a call at our 24/7 hotline 1800-RUNWAY or chat with us live by visiting our website 1800runaway.org.

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