verbally abused at 17 and i want to leave

[Unregistered]

Hello, I'm 17 years of age, in 2 months I will be 18 years old. I resign in Charelseton, West Virginia. I am currently and have been verbally abused by my parents for 9 years. I am a senior in high school when it starts back up. But I can not take it here anymore, my parents do drugs also...and I'm scared something may happen to me or my sisters. My parents told me I could not leave the house because I will not be of age to do so. My mother threatened me with some paper that states I can not leave until 21 years of age. I need help, please! Can I leave soon and still stay in school?

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for coming to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds as if you are going through a really tough spot in your life right now. We are sorry that you are experiencing such feelings and being exposed to this situation in your household. You mentioned how your parent’s drug use has contributed a great deal to the stress within your family environment. Do you feel like there is a particular reason why they are choosing to turn to drugs? You also say that you are also concerned for the safety of your sisters when your parents are doing drugs, is there anywhere that you can go in order to feel safe when you know that your parents are using? Have you tried to talk with anyone close to you about the struggles that you are having with your parent’s drug use, as well as the negative effects of their verbal abuse? Sometimes if you talk to a counselor or some close friends and relatives about how you are feeling you may be able to get a better idea on how to handle the situation. One resource that might be useful for you to turn to is the Childhelp USA hotline at 1-800-422-4453. This resource answers questions about abuse and where to report it, as well as offers counselors to assist you in any way they can. It is also confidential and anonymous to ensure the safety of you and your sisters.

We would really like to be able to help you come up with some answers, possible solutions, options, and/or resources. If you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY we would very much like to talk with you about what is happening and help you in any way that we can. You can also reach us by our online chat service through our website from 4:30- 11:30 PM CST.

What you are going through has got to be stressful and painful for you right now. Please contact us so we can further help you in any way that we can. We are always here. Hope to hear from you soon and good luck.

~NRS