I'm 17. I want to run away, but I also want to stay in school.

[Nia]

I don't want to get too much into details, but I will go as far as to say that I literally cannot stand being at home anymore. It's too much. I have work to deal with, school, and I'm way too busy to deal with an abusive home life.
Since I am a minor, my parents will not let me leave. My mother has told me that if I ran away, she'd send me to juvie. Can she do that?
Also, I want to stay in school even if I run away. Can the school punish me for running away? I live in Northern California.

Basically, I just want to know if my mom can send me to juvie for running away. I don't want this to affect my education, which is the main issue. Thanks so much in advance.

[ccsmod6]

re: I'm 17. I want to run away, but I also want to stay in school.

Hi Nia:

Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Switchboard. It sounds like you have a lot to deal with and no one should have to live in an abusive home. Does anyone else aware of the abuse that is taking place within your home? It sounds like you want to leave home and would like to continue going to school. Generally speaking, schools cannot punish you for running away but they may have the authority to punish you for truancy (skipping school). As a minor, your parents can report you as runaway which will then get entered into a national law enforcement database. Generally speaking, it is not illegal to runaway so youth who do so do not get sent juvie unless they have committed some sort of crime. Since you are working and attending school, you may be able to file for emancipation as long as you are over the age of 14. Emancipation can be a lengthy process and it is usually recommended to speak to someone with a legal background for more information.

Remember if you feel that your immediate safety is at risk that you can contact the police by dialing 9-11. In addition to contacting the police, you have the option of filing an abuse report as well as going to safe place. If you would like to go to a safe place, we can help you locate one by contacting us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Our hotline is anonymous, confidential, toll-free, and available 24/7. We can assist you with calling around to locate a safe place as well filing a child abuse report if you want.

We wish you the best of luck and you are very welcome.

~NRS