I want to run away but I don't know where to and how?

[Unregistered]

my family is disgusting. my mom is relatively decent one, though sometimes even decent is a stretch. she owns a store in which she says im supposed to help out and screams at me and calls me useless and tells me to do more— and i do help; i come directly back from school and i slave away to awful customers and threats that if i don't keep a smile on my face, i will have it beat off of me. i do this until six or seven and have to cram my homework and studying into a tiny period of time. my mom's husband is the most awful thing i've ever seen or heard. he will blow at a n y given moment and will hit me or my brother or my mother it doesnt matter to the creature. he's tried to stab us before. he is absolutely awful and everyone who knows us thinks he's wonderful because he pretends so hard. my mom and him both care about their reputation and what our customers and neighbors think of them more than they care about me. theyll scream and beat me over bad grades when theyre the reason for them?? besides that i already experience back and neck pain daily because of the heavy lifting I'm required to do in the store. and they don't treat me well in any manner of the phrase. I want to run away for obvious reasons but I don't know where I would go and I know there's a high possibility I will be raped or abused as a runaway.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I want to run away but I don't know where to and how?

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

The situation you described at home sounds like a terrible positon to be in.
You and your brother do not deserve to be physically or emotionally threatened or physically abused.
The things that are being put upon you are not your fault.
You did a very brave thing by reaching out. Good for you.
You deserve to be safe.

We understand that you may be having thoughts about running away and we want to acknowledge your sensibility in trying to think things through.
We are here to listen and here to help.
There are laws that guard against child abuse and you have the right to file a child abuse report with your state child protective services agency.
NRS can assist you with doing this.
We are mandated reporters so we can take a report on your behalf and file it with CPS.

Another option would be for you to contact Child Help USA -1800-422-4453 for information to file a child abuse report on your own.

A school counselor, teacher or the police are also options to file a report.
Your safety is important but we also understand that this might be a difficult decision for you to make.
Any time that you feel you are at risk or in danger you have the option to call 9-1-1.
Another option might be to try and get to a safe zone. Maybe there is a relative or friend’s house you can go to.

There may be emergency crisis shelters in your city and state.
NRS can assist you with exploring options of safety.
You are welcome to call 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or live chat with NRS at www.1800Runaway.org

Again you are very brave to contact us today.

Be safe and take care,
NRS