Can I run away and still go to school?

[Guest]

I have been thinking of running away because I have messed up really dab quite a few times and my parents do not like me at all. They send me outside AII the time and say that they can not deal with me. So I want to run away to help my family and me but I want to do it without them knowing and I want to still go to school but I can not go to physical school because its closed but I have looked at free online school and I think it might work. I want to know that I can do school because I want to get a job when I am 18 so please help.

[Guest]

Hi I want to run away but I still want ti do sone sort of online schooling any thing I can do.

[ccsmod3]

Hi there and thanks for reaching out on our forum! It sounds like you are seriously considering running away due to a number of things including not feeling like your parents like you. We can only imagine how that feels, especially with so many states still following "shelter in place." We would be happy to explore your options with you and can also provide some information about attending school as an unaccompanied minor (which can include runaways.) There is something called The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act can help youth who fall under a federal definition of homelessness which in some cases includes youth who have run away and are now living without a parent/guardian. More information can be found here: https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento/ and they also have a section on COVID-19.

To continue a discussion with us, please visit our Live Chat link so we can talk one-on-one here: https://na0messaging.icarol.com/Cons...d=254&cc=en-US. Best of luck!

-NRS

[Guest]

I doubt anybody is going to reply to this but i’ve been stuck on this for a while. I’ve been planning on running away for a while now, one of my best mates offered for me to stay with them in a different city once i actually run away, i was wondering if i was able to enrol in a school there without a guardian applying? I’m still pretty young and i don’t want to lose my chances at a proper education. The people i’ll be staying with are a lot better than my actual guardians and i was wondering if it’s possible to transfer schools without my guardians consent.
I know you guys won’t have the actual answers, but even just a link to some information would be extremely helpful. Anything is helpful at this point.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us here at NRS and we appreciate you sharing a bit about your situation. Reaching out for help was a great first step to getting the support you may need. Having a solid plan for leaving is definitely important to make sure you can stay as safe as possible.

Generally, you do need a guardian to enroll in school, but there can be exceptions to this. You do have a right to an education even if you are not living at home or if you are experiencing homelessness. Your right to an education is protected through a law called the McKinney-Vento Act. You can go to the website for the National Center for Homeless Education (www.nche.ed.gov) to find the McKinney-Vento Liason for your school district. This person would be able to give you more information about enrolling in school without a guardian and any issues you may run into.

We hope this information helps! We truly want to be a support for you during this challenging time. If you want to talk more about your situation and brainstorm some possible options, we are here 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible. You can contact us directly by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat at 1800runaway.org.

Good luck and stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm in foster care, and I don't wanna be here I want to run away but I'm a honor student and I wanna still go to school.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).Another option would be to reach out to your caseworker to see how they can help. Or you can call us and we can reach out to them if you'd like. It's totally up to you. We are here 24/7 and are confidential.

By law, you do have a right to schooling and an education, even if you were to somehow find yourself homeless. However, usually a school will want to have guardian or home information for you, so running away and still going to school is at the least bit somewhat complicated. If you chat or call us we can talk more about the situation.

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. We hope to hear from you soon!

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Can I run away from my home and go to a friends house and stay there? I don't want to stay at home but I will miss my sisters so what do I do, I don't have a phone because I got it taken up, things are pretty hard for me right now and my mom doesn't understand me at all and we were close but things are so bad between us right now and she wont let me talk to her or anything. I have been wanting to run away for a long time now, but I don't want to miss out on my little sisters lives, I'm not able to hang out with friends or anyone right now because i got in trouble. Please help me, I don't know what to do anymore, I'm 14 years old I live in Texas.

[ccsmod4]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are in a tough situation and may be looking for some options to help cope with everything that has been going on. It seems like the relationship with your mother has been strained due to past and current issues.

If you were to leave home without permission from your mother she might decide to call the police and make a runaway report. If found by the police you most likely would be returned home. Also anyone found to have aided or harbor you could face legal charges.

The situation sounds very frustrating for you. We’re glad you reached out. It is also important that you remember to exercise self- care.
It is times like these that it might be a nice comfort to have a listening ear.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We would be glad to speak with you about strategies or options that might help you to cope better with your situation.
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. Sometimes having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of.

We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more about your situation and we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

You did a wonderful job reaching out today. Good for you.
We look forward to hearing from you.


Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I really wanna runaway because my mom and dad hit and scream in my face. And i have nowhere too go please help

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/.

We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

my name is Victoria. I'm a 15 year old freshman in NC. My parents are divorced. I have siblings that I love very much and a little brother on the way (my dads kid). I want to run away because I can't breathe. I feel like I can only breathe this polluted, dirty, choking air that my parents make me breathe instead of blocking it out and letting me breathe the rich fresh air i need. I am only aloud to dress in conservative clothes (I'm more of a punk,rock,goth, witchy kinda style girl), i can only draw things that are "appropriate" in today's society for a "young lady", i'm not aloud to say certain words, i can't play my music on speakers or have the volume turned up to where they can here it because it's "disturbing" and once again "unlady-like". The one thing I can do is schoolwork. And my schoolwork dictates everything; how i can dress, how i can act, what i can have, who i can see, what i can do. I'm suffocating. My dad keeps yelling at me and taking away my stuff when my grades start to drop because he wants to "motivate me" into doing things that don't need to be done right that second. i know other kids have it worse and im grateful to be living i such a nice house but, he's been emotionally abusing me and manipulating me into doing what he wants. i still want to go to school of course because without it i wouldnt be able to get my dream job. I'm good at doing my work and turning it in hes just so angry all the time. twisting my words making me feel worthless. im done. im running away. all i need is shelter with free wifi for schoolwork, a job, food and water, and a ride so i can get to school.

[ccsmod0]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
The easiest way to leave home is with your parents' permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. 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). If you would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
You don't deserve to be abused in any way. It is not your fault.
You have the right to want to be treated fairly.
As of right now you’re feeling like leaving in a few years a strong possibility for you.
You seem to have thought hard on this but you would like some information on continuing education for runaways. We would be glad to speak with you about strategies or options that might help you to prepare a plan.
We want you to know that we are here as support during this challenging time.
Sometimes having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of.

We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more about your situation and we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

You did a wonderful job reaching out today.
We look forward to hearing from you.


Take care,
NRS

[ccsmod4]

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
You don't deserve to be abused in any way. It is not your fault.
You have the right to want to be treated fairly.
As of right now you’re feeling like leaving in a few years a strong possibility for you.
You seem to have thought hard on this but you would like some information on continuing education for runaways. We would be glad to speak with you about strategies or options that might help you to prepare a plan.
We want you to know that we are here as support during this challenging time.
Sometimes having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of.

We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more about your situation and we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

You did a wonderful job reaching out today.
We look forward to hearing from you.


Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi, so I'm 14 years old and my house isn't horrible but it's getting really stressful and I just want to get out. My mom and I always disagree and it seems like she doesn't care about what I have to say. I'm in therapy and take medication. My mom has threatened to take my door off or put a lock on it so I can't go in there during the day. my bio dad killed himself when I was 3. my stepdad has physically and verbally abused me before because of not liking how I react to things and do certain things when I already have mental health issues. he's given me a black eye and along with it put a giant cut under the same eye. he's fractured my collarbone for taking a lighter back and not giving it to him. he's gotten in my face and yelled at me because of something I did. calling me worthless and useless and just a lot of stuff I can't think of right now. and every time the authorities got called to my house, they never did anything because my house is really nice and my other siblings don't do as much stuff to dissatisfy them. in the past, my mom has also called me a whore. she has also told my friends that they are idiots and how their parents didn't give a ******** about them. my stepdad has really bad anger issues, he's gotten a lot better but even through all the times he hit me and screamed in my face, my mom stayed with him. I know I'm not completely innocent. like I've been to two mental hospitals and I've gotten physical with my mom and stepdad. but it seems like they treat me like I'm a prisoner. like there are alarms on the windows in the house because I USED to sneak out. that was over a year ago and they still have them. I can't open one of the windows in my room because of it. they provide me with everything I need and all and I know they love me and I love them but I really need to get out of here before I do something really bad. and I don't want to go back to a mental hospital either. my best friend and I have come up with a plan and a place for me to stay in her house without anybody knowing but I still need to go to school because I'm in a Tech school for art and need to graduate from there to get my dream job. we are in a pandemic right now, so I do remote school. I know if I run away, my mom will literally do anything to get me back home but I know that if I were to go back home after running away, things would be the same, if not worse. they don't trust me at all and I don't feel like this place is home. I've made A LOT of mistakes, some of them being illegal but I feel like my house should still feel like home and it doesn't. and because of this, I do more things I'm not "supposed" to do because I just want to break free. how can I run away, still finish high school, and never go back home until I turn 18 and are legally on my own??

[ccsmod0]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
The easiest way to leave home is with your parents' permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. 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). If you would like to look into further emotional support options, you can text with a crisis worker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness 24/7 by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello,
I live in California. My parents are horrible to me. Everyday I am abused in many ways and they will not allow me to go to my dream college. And they want me to get married to someone they chose soon. I am 17 and 18 in May. Can I leave now and get away with it or will I have to wait.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to share your situation with us here at NRS. It sounds like there is a lot that you are facing at home and you are thinking about leaving before you turn 18. We want you to know that you are not alone in this and we are here 24/7 to support you and help as much as possible. You mentioned some things that raise concern for your safety and well-being. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it to child protective services. No one can force you to get married if you don't want to. If you do not want to report the abuse or you are not quite ready to do so, we encourage you to talk to any trusted adults about what's going on home. Perhaps there is a family member, teacher, counselor, or friend's parent you can go to for support.

We encourage you to take whatever steps necessary to protect your safety. We also want to make sure you are informed about what could happen if you decide you need to leave before turning 18. If you leave home without permission, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal so you will not get into any legal trouble. It is a status offense which means your parents can ask police to return you home if they know where you are staying. Once you are 18 you will be considered a legal adult with the legal freedom to choose where you live and where you go to college.

If you would like to talk more about your situation and explore your possible options, please do not hesitate to contact us directly by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat at 1800runaway.org. We are here 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

hi im 12 and im having tons of issues ima be honest here i do lie and i can get an adutude but my mom has recently bashed my head on a wall so yeah but anyway i need help i have a phone but they took it away and it has not been charged in a while idk if i can be good long enough to withstand this i want to run but where do i go? and also i love school and want to attend if i do runaway but how do i get my phone back charge it then run if my parents know all my tricks?

[ccsmod15]

Hello there, thank you for reaching out to NRS through our forum-it takes a lot of courage to reach out and talk about what’s going on at home, and we will try to help to the best of our ability. First and foremost, you do not deserve to be physically assaulted at home, especially by your mother. You should be able to feel safe and have open communication with your family while living there. Since living conditions have not really been too healthy for you at home, it is without a doubt understandable that you would like to leave home and live somewhere else. One thing to try is to reach out to trusted family members or friends and see if they would be willing to take you in for a bit, so that you can leave home and also still attend classes as you would like. It is amazing that you enjoy school and definitely keep at it! Should you decide to run away from home, your legal guardian i.e. your mom could file a runaway report on you, and if the police happen to locate you at say a friend’s or family member’s house, they would be required by law to return you home. However, it might be advantageous for you to file an abuse report with your local police concerning what is going on at home and in the event that your mom files a runaway report and they find you, you will have some documentation against your mom that will act as a potential “safety net” for you. So, in the event that the police locate you, they will be apprehensive about just returning you home to someone that physically hits you. Also, if you are comfortable, try to reach out to a trusted teacher or counselor at school to talk about what is going on at home. Concerning your phone, it might be difficult to retrieve if your guardian has already taken it-it might be more helpful to ask to use the phone of a friend or family member, or maybe even your school could try to figure out something and let you use the landlines of the school until you are able to retrieve your phone. Another great resource for you could be the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline if you would like to reach out and talk to someone more in depth about what you are going though at home and they can give you even more resources tailored to cases of abuse. Should you decide to reach out to them, please call 1(800)-4-A-CHILD (422-4453). If you would like to talk further about anything that was mentioned above or if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to NRS directly at 1(800)-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are here to listen and help to the best of our ability 24/7.

[Guest]

I'm ***, I am recently 16 as of February 19th and I am dating a guy 21 years older than me but I think I might love him.. We want to run away together and start a life free of our pasts. It sounds amazing but I still need to go to school. I want to graduate and have a decent job. I need advice what should I do?

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out! In most states 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian.
Generally, to be enrolled in school a legal guardian needs to be present. This might not always be the case, calling the school and asking how they might handle runaways may be helpful.
We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.
When leaving with someone it’s always good to make sure you have options. It can be helpful to be sure to have access to your phone at all times, and have possibly a friend or relative who you can confide in to keep in contact with in case of an emergency.
If you would like to discuss in further detail, please reach out to us via chat or call. We are here 24/7 to help and support you.
Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

hi I feel like I'm wasting/ wasted my life, my parents force me into the stuff I never wanted to do since I was little they make decisions on my without my opinion, and I've tried telling them that I don't feel ok, but they won't listen, especially my mom shes very manipulative she screams at me then the next moment she's sugarcoating her mistake. all my suicide attempts come from the rage I feel from their abuse I don't know what to do anymore I really want to live an exciting happy life, and I do love them but I feel like they aren't good for my future, anyways if I do choose to runaway will I still be able to get an education (of course in another state or city) or will they be able to find me. if so, how can i avoided being found out.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. They can tell you more about how CPS could respond to your situation. If you ever need assistance calling out to CPS to make an abuse or neglect report please call is at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi my name is Mehkia. I am 13 years old and I want to runaway from home (I live in Georgia). My father and mother are mostly likely going to get a divorce soon and I don't want to live with either of them. My mother doesn't make me feel welcome at home and we are always getting into it about small things. I made a mistake when I was younger and ever since then I feel like she doesn't look at me the same and she says these abusive things. My dad is definitely not financially nor mentally stable enough to take care of me. He has been having an affair for 2 years now with 2 women and I just don't want to even stay with him. My mom is financially stable but she is just so emotionally abusive. Especially since my dad started his affair it is like if I do anything that she thinks is against her she immediately "punishes" me for it by manipulating me and telling me I'm doing something wrong, it has officially driven my insane. I can't stay with my mom's side of the family because we are not close but I am not sure about my dad's side. Most likely not because I am afraid they are going to send me home. I am not sure the legal offenses against minors running away. Oh, by the way my parents are going to move to Atlanta. I don't mind moving there but just not with them about being in the same city would definitely be risky. I am from Athens but I don't think it is smart to go there because someone with probably recognize me. I want to stay in Georgia but away from my parents. I do want to stay in school and I want to be safe. I am ready for whatever comes to me but I am wondering where I should go and what I should do in the long-term? Will anyone help me please?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension. Issues between parents can definitely make life harder for you. Your mom shouldn't be treating you differently or harshly because of past mistakes. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

We aren’t legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if you do opt to leave your home your parents can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and you are located by the authorities you will most likely be returned home (wherever they are, your current town or Atlanta).

It seems like your parents don't completely understand how their issues are affecting you. It could be a good idea to work with a local family counselor or have a conversation mediated by a school counselor/social worker, trusted friend, or family member to help clear the air. If you'd like, you can also call us directly and we can conduct a conference call with your family so you have a safe environment where you can express yourself.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

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