I want to run but stay in school. help?

[Unregistered]

Hello, im 16 and a junior in high school. I have many reasons for wanting to run away. I was kicked out of my moms place for being defiant so i have to live with my abusive dad who is more verbally abusive that physically but he still gets physical from time to time. Im just really tired of the constant put downs and degrading comments from him. What makes thinks worse is that they want to put me on meds because i tested 30% positive for ADD and my grades have always been low but after moving in with my dad i have become depressed and my grades really dropped to Fs and Ds. I feel that if I run away I would be able to have the motivation to get my grades up and pass all my classes. My only real problem is I want to stay in the same high school that Ive been going to because I wont be able to transfer my transcript. I have no job but have been applying for at least 12 for the last 6 months. I have alot of skill in the outdoors and could for sure swing living on my own. I also wanted to know if it was ileagall to live in an abandoned house? my town has at least 15 that I know of that I could shack up in for a while. Could I get leagal charges pressed against me for running away if im caught? I live in Washington, thanks

[ccsmod10]

I want to run but stay in school. help?

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to us during this time. Nobody deserves to be abused or made to feel degraded and unwanted in their own home. It sounds like education is very important to you and you want to continue going to school. You do have the right to continue going to school under the McKinney Vento Act http://center.serve.org/nche/m-v.php regardless of your living situation. Have you considered talking to anyone at school about your situation? Counselors and teachers are mandated reporters and are required to inform law enforcement if there is abuse going on at home. They may also have other resources to help you.

Although we are not legal experts and we cannot tell you what will or will not happen, we can hopefully help explain what we know about the runaway laws. Technically, it is not against the law to run away. In most places its considered a status offence. However, anyone that you would be caught staying with could possibly be charged with ‘harboring a runaway’. It sounds like you are planning on squatting in an abandoned building or living in the wilderness. Have you thought about the safest way to do this? Most cities do have ordinances against illegally squatting. Here at the National Runaway Safeline we would be happy to help find you a shelter or program that would help you achieve your goals of finishing your education.

It sounds like you are very resourceful and determined to overcome your circumstances of an abusive household to finish high school and live freely. We are available for you 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY(786-2929) or by live chat at www.1800runaway.org from 4:30pm-11:30pm Central Standard Time. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck!

NRS