Im 16 and hate living at home if i run away can the police force me to go back?

[Guest]

Should I run away?

I have somewhat a good life but I feel like I'm living under a rock because my parents won't let me post on youtube without their permission and the only social media they will let me have is Instagram
I feel like I should pack bags and run away but I just can´t bring myself to do so

What should I do?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you so much for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen.
Unfortunately, we cannot tell you if you should or should not runaway as you are the only one who knows your situation the best. It seems like you are going through a difficult time right now. Your parents may just be monitoring your social media for safety reasons. There can be a lot of creepy people online, and it is important to be careful of what you post because anyone can see it. You could try talking with your parents about having a compromise if they allow you to get more social media platforms then perhaps they can help monitor those as well.
We are not legal experts but we do have some information. If you were to leave home without permission your legal guardian could file a runaway report. If the police were to find you they most likely would bring you back home. Also whomever you were to stay with could potentially get in trouble for harboring a runaway.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support. Best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

im 16 i want to go with my boyfriend for a couple of days and i might be carrying his kid can my parent get the police envolved help please

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for posting on our Bulletin and we appreciate you sharing a bit about your situation. We are not legal experts, but we can speak generally on this.

If you leave home without permission, your parent's can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, so you would not get arrested. It is a status offense which means your parents can ask police to assist with returning you home if they know where you are staying.

You mentioned that you believe you may be pregnant. If you have not already, you can get more information from www.plannedparenthood.org about finding a clinic to get a pregnancy test, reproductive care, and family planning counseling.

We truly want to be a support for you as you decide on your next steps. We are available 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out again by phone or chat if you would like to talk more in-depth about your situation and explore your options. You can contact us by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services at www.1800runaway.org.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

i want to run away, i have a place where i can stay but this is not the first time i ran away before and my mom filed a runaway.. can the cops take me to juvie because thats what my mom said. I told her i dont want to be here and she said its either you stay here, stay at your abusive step dad , or stay with the cops.. the place is far from where i stay at.. can i still runaway or am i going to jail ?

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to us. We're sorry to hear that things are going well at home right now and that you want to live elsewhere. It looks like you posted to this thread twice, so we are just going to give our full response here.

First, we are sorry to hear about the abuse taking place with your stepdad. If you'd like to file an abuse report you can do that through your state's child abuse reporting hotline or by contacting Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 (www.childhelp.org). You certainly do not deserve to be abused or mistreated by anyone.

In your other post you mentioned you might be pregnant. Here's a link with some information on pregnancy testing for you to consider: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/le...regnancy-tests

As for your question about whether or not you could be sent to juvie or taken to jail for running away: it's possible your mom could look into getting your state's Child in Need of Supervision program involved (they go by different names depending on the state). Juvenile detention is a possibility depending on whether or not you are a chronic runaway or if there are other perceived problematic issues going on. We can't say for sure what might happen, however. At the very least she can file another runaway report, and anyone you stay with could be accused of harboring a runaway, which is a misdemeanor in most localities.

Perhaps there are other options you haven't thought of yet. Maybe you could ask permission from your mom to live elsewhere, for instance. We'd like to work with you to figure out the full range of possibilities you have so that you can make an informed choice. The best way for us to do that is if you give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us via the portal at www.1800runaway.org. We hope to hear from you soon!

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I have tried to kill myself several times because of my family they just wanna change me into someone I'm not I'm mentally abused and they mock me for having depression I NEED out what can I do?

[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. It sounds like you’re fearing that the situation may end in suicide if things don’t change. Your safety and well-being is important. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but you are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
It seems like the mental abuse could potentially verge on child abuse as well, we encourage you to look into the child helpline at childhelp.org or call them at 1-800-422-4453. They may not have all the answers but may have possible coping mechanisms as well.
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).
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe and stay strong,

[Guest]

My grandma is emotionally hurting me and shes pressuring me alot i cry everyday I feel my heart actually breaking she seems to think i wanna go out and sleep around but i have a boyfriend and he lives out of state shes trying to make me stay away from him and it hurts my heart because she used to hit me in the past and i have alibies to prove it

[ccsmod15]

Thanks for reaching out to us. We are sorry your grandma is mistreating you, including hitting you in the past. You have some options that we'd like to share with you:

One option you have is to file an abuse report on what's going on at home. We know sometimes that is a hard choice to make, but you do have that right. If an abuse report is made it would likely lead to a child protective services investigation. They would likely interview you and your grandma and determine what the best course of action is. Sometimes that simply involves talking things through and checking up later to see if things are improving. If things are deemed detrimental to your well being, you could be removed from the home, though this is not always the case. If you want to file an abuse report you can do that through your state's child abuse reporting hotline or through Child Help (www.childhelp.org) at 1-800-422-4453. You can also file through us here at National Runaway Safeline. But again, whether you decide to file or not is up to you. We honor whatever decision you make and support you either way.

We'd like to help further but would need some more information from you to help. The best way for us to do that is if you give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us via the portal at www.1800runaway.org. Our chatroom and phone lines are open 24/7 and we are a confidential, safe place to talk about what you're going through. We also have a large database of resources that we might be able to connect you with: things like shelters, counselors, legal aid, and the like.

We hope to hear from you soon. Please stay safe!

NRS

[Guest]

My name is Kylie and I’m neglected by my mom and I have somewhere to go where I won’t self- harm or think about suicide but she won’t let me go saying she’s doing nothing wrong. I can’t have a job, I can’t hang out with my family, I can’t even leave my room, and I fear I won’t live through high school because of the way I’m treated and forced to live. I want to runaway but I don’t know if I’ll be forced to go back or if I’ll be able to stay where I’m at. I need to know because my mental health is bad.

[ccsmod4]

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. If you’re feeling unsafe and need a safe place to go and talk to someone, you may wish to visit The National Safeplace website (www.nationalsafeplace.org). This organization provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. You can look up your city and state to see if there are any safe places near you listed. So that is always an option if you feel like talking to someone in person about what has been going on or if you just need a safe place to stay.

You also may use your phone to text the word “safe” and your current location (city/state/zip) to 44357. If there are safe places and shelters nearby, a list of those will be sent to your phone and you may have the option to text back and forth with a trained counselor as well.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

i currently live with my mom and stepfather. they are mentally and emotionally abusive. they isolate my from my friends and constantly put me down. nothing i do is good enough for them. i live in illinois. i want to leave home and live with my boyfriend for a week before moving in with my father. i need to know if my bfs mom will get in trouble if she takes me in and if my dad will get in trouble as well. i am turning 17 in two days. i need to get out of this house because it is tearing me apart.

[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 with your mom and stepfather. 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. It depends on your parent's custody arrangement as well.
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 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

Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

Hi! I am 15 years old. I plan to run away from home at the age of 17 because my mother can't afford to send me to japan and does not believe that I would be able to take care of myself. She says I can't pay for myself. She is a single mother and I wanted to help. So could you tell me if I wanted to go to japan at 17 and tell my mother AFTER I have left whether there would be some problems or not?

[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.
There may be issues with you traveling internationally without a guardian or chaperone. For more information, you would need to contact airline security.
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 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

Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

Hey I’m 16 and I’m physically and mentally abused by my mom, dad and my sister. They always threaten to take me back to my home country and my sister calls me many bad things and bad words and my dad hits me or threatens to hit me. If they try to take my freedom away completely and take me back to Pakistan (I live in america) I plan on running away to my friend’s house and living with him (because if I keep living with my parents and go to Pakistan the situation will only get worse and I’ll probably get abused and arranged married.
If they do try to take me out of this country can I protect myself runaway and live with my friend? If his mom is willing to foster me?

[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.
In regard to you wanting to leave home, 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.
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.
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]

I'm fifteen years old and living with abusive, mentally and pysicaly, parents I feel mature enough to live on my own I've had to pay rent for my mom who won't work and cook for her and my younger brother as well as clean ect. but I don't know if I'll be labeled as a runaway and taken back. Can I live with a friend till I turn sixteen and can live on my own with out judges approval?

[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]

I wanted to run away because when I was younger I was molested by my mom husband and I told my sister but nobody believed me so now I’m stuck into i go to college and if I report it nobody gonna believe me because I’m a girl ....I started writing in my journal just in case anything happens

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time right now, and we want you to know that you are not alone.
We are sorry you had to go through that, and it is unfortunate that your sister did not believe you. We want you to know that just because your sister did not believe you doesn’t mean no one will. You can always talk to your local police about this situation. Another resource that may be helpful is called RAINN, which is the sexual assault hotline. They can be reached at 1800-656-4673, they also have a chat option online.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any more questions please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support. Best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I just turned 16 and my parents have put me on restriction and raised my meds with the doctor telling them im crazy i am very normal i just have aniexty from past traumatic events with my parents but everyone i hangout with knows im not crazy including my boyfriend and his whole family which i spend more time with anyways so they know me very well or at least better than my parents. My parents want to send me to rehab because they think im crazy and everyone thats not my parent even people there age are telling them there mentally abusing me and i don't need rehab im a normal teenage girl but they have most of the doctors wrapped around there finger because thats what they do for a living anyways i want to move out but they threaten to call the cops and no-one will listen to me

[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 sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now.
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.
Your safety and well-being is important. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but you are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
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).
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 16 if I run a ay and stay with my grandmother can I be made to go back home e?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing us here at NRS. While we are not legal experts we can speak generally on this. If you leave home without permission as a minor, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means your parents can ask police to return you home if they know where you are staying.

We truly want to be a support for you as you decide on your next steps. We are available 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out again by phone or chat if you would like to talk more in-depth about your situation and explore your options. You can contact us by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services at www.1800runaway.org.

Good luck,
NRS