Family issues

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. From your post it sounds like you have a question that a lot of our callers have. We are sorry that you are going through at abuse at home. 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 child protective service in your state. You have rights too. One hotline that might be able to guide you through the process or reporting and answering any questions that you have is “Child Help (National Child Abuse Hotline)” (800.422.4453).

Only you know when you need to leave due to your home being unsafe. Unfortunately no one but you can make that decision for you, not even here. One thing that may be helpful for you is to possibly note when the fighting/yelling is happening or any triggers of the fighting/yelling (some examples would be 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). That way you are able to stay safe while you figure out what your next step might be.

It’s hard to talk to just anyone one about what has been going on. Please rest assured that we are completing confidential. So anything that you share with us will stay between us. We might also be able to look in our database to see if there were any youth shelters or safe places that you might be able to go to if you need some local support.

Best of luck and we hope that if you need more support that you reach out to us here.

Announcement