running away at 18

[Guest]

im 18 my mum wont let me leave the house I want to move to my frinds house but she allways home

[ccsmod9]

Since you are 18 you are more than likely considered a legal adult which means that you can move out if you want to and you won’t be considered a runaway. As a legal adult, you have a right to make your own decisions about where you live. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and help you find resources to land on your feet. Having a plan for where you will live and how you will survive once you move out can be very helpful. Moving can be a huge step, and you don’t have to be alone. Some steps you can take towards independence might be to find employment if you don’t have an income, or to save up money for moving expenses. It can also be helpful to research rents in your area, find a roommate, or make a budget. Another thing you might want to consider is what kinds of things you depend on your parents for currently such as tuition expenses for school, or health insurance, and whether they would continue to provide those things after you leave. There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as Transitional Living Programs, a kind of shelter where young adults can live and get services to help them transition to independent living. We are here to listen and help however we can.

[Guest]

I’m 18 in Nebraska and legal age to be an adult is 19. I need to leave but i know I’ll be reported as a runaway

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. 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, but generally speaking, if you are still a minor (which it sounds like you are) your parents/guardians can file a runaway report if you leave home. 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. Since you are close to the age of majority in Nebraska and since you’d be considered a legal adult in most other states, it could be worthwhile to contact your local non-emergency police line (normally you can reach it by dialing 311) to see what their policy/response would be.

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.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 19 and wanna go leave with my boyfriend would this be a issue with the law and can my parents stop it?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. We are not legal experts but we will do our best to answer your questions. In most states the age of majority is 18 which would make it legal to leave home at 19 years old. If you live in a state where the age of majority is 21 then you may be filed as a runaway if you leave home at 19. To check the age of majority in your state you can look at Sex. ECT and they will have a list (sex in the states) that lets you know the age of majority in your state.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

My girlfriend is in a trauma of family conditions and restrictions, her parents have orthodox thinking and don't let her do what she wants even in studies too... She is confined behind the bars... she isnt allowed even to talk to girls... she is getting 18 in may 2019.. can she run from her home and is there any NGO or any group that will help her continue her studies??? Please help...

[ccsmod6]

Hi there, thanks for contacting National Runaway Safeline. We are so sorry to hear about what your girlfriend is going through. That must all be so hard and scary on her. You seem very concerned about her. We hope to be as helpful for you as we can. Running away is not illegal and, in most cases, the concern that most youth may have when running away is their parent’s response and/or police response. Depending on the state legal adult age where your girlfriend lives, at 18, she may be considered an adult. If she is, it is not considered running away if she leaves. In fact, in the case that she is of legal adult age in her state, she does not need any permission to leave her home and her parents would not legally be able to make her stay home. It even could be considered illegal for them to try to do so, if she is considered an adult in her state. It may be most beneficial to speak with a legal advisor about this matter, as we are not legal experts and do not have more concrete information about what legal protections she has or legal actions she can take but can help with those resources. If she is not considered a legal adult in her state and is considered a minor, she also has the option to file abuse in the home with the department of children services. If she would like more information about that, it may be beneficial to inform her about Child Help. Child Help has a number of professionals who may be able to provide her with more information about that option and process. Their number is 1800-422-4453 and their website is childhelp.org. As far as organizations that can assist her with her studies that can depend on her location but, it may be beneficial to relay to her an organization called the National Center for Homeless Education Hotline for more information about how to explore continuing her education if and when she is no longer living with her parents. Their number is 1800-308-2145. We hope this information was of assistance to you. Please feel free to call us at any time or inform your girlfriend that she can call at 1800-RUNAWAY. Also, feel free to chat with us live by visiting our website 1800runaway.org. Best of luck.

[Guest]

I’m 18 years old. I love my boyfriend a lot and I’m having a lot of family issues. If we run away will my parents call the cops? Will I get pulled back home? I really want to do this but I’m scared of legal action

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for reaching out to us It sounds like you are ready to take the next step with your boyfriend but you want make sure you have as much information before you do. We’re not legal experts here at NRS. Generally once you are 18 it’s not illegal to leave home. Some states differ on what age a youth becomes an adult. You could consider calling your local non-emergency police department to ask about their policies. We also have legal aid resources here if you have specific questions about the laws in your state.

One service we can offer is to conference call with your parents. This way you could have a conversation with your parents but you would not be alone. For example, it may be hard for you to explain to your parents that you are ready to leave with your boyfriend. Sometimes those conversations go better in a conference call because we can advocate for you. If you want to reach us, you can chat with us anytime at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24/7, and we are ready to listen and help however we can.

-NRS

[Guest]

What if you are 18 and in foster care and decide to leave. Witch. Getting in contact with the courts what will happen ?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what's going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. We aren't legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, once you turn 18 you are considered a legal adult and can live where you want. If you have any questions about this you may want to contact your local DCF office or talk to the caseworker who you have previously worked with when being placed in foster care.

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

[Guest]

Hay,

if you are 18 in nebraska and the legal age is 19 but you runaway to iowa where the legal age is 18. Can i be forced to go home?

[ccsmod11]

Hi, and thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS).

While we are not experts on the law, we can share that our understanding which is that if you are under the age of majority (as you said, 19 in Nebraska) and leave home without your parents permission, 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. A runaway report is filed with the police in the city/state in which the youth left and not the state/location the youth may be going to (Iowa in your case).

For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions as again, we're not legal experts. If you'd like to talk in more detail about your situation or have any questions please call 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us (www.1800RUNAWAY.org) as we can best help by phone or chat.

Best, NRS

[Guest]

What if your 19 and need to run away but need help

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

We aren't legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, since you are over the age of 18 you are considered a legal adult and can leave home whenever you wish. 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

[Guest]

if I'm 18 and lived with a friend, would the cops come looking for me?

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. We aren't legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, since you are over the age of 18 you are considered a legal adult and can leave home whenever you wish. 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.

[Guest]

So im 18 my aunt is a very strict parent she yells at me about everything i have to pay a car pay ment but the car isnt mine but sunday i left my phone on my bed and went to the bathroom i came back she going through my phone found stuff she didn't like she started to yell scream at me then shes like ae will talk about this tomorrow...So i was sitting there shaking and crying like crazy so i grabbed my phone and texted my friend saying please pick me up so he came i packed my bags and left...i left my phone so she couldn't call me or anything then i stayed the day with him and im like i should go and tell my job so we drove an hour i went to my job and wellll my aunt was there she started screaming yelling then she punched me infront of my coworks then she yelled i was gonna go to thw cops file a report blah blah blah....so would i get in trouble if i ran away again im sick of being locked in this house i wanna be happy i wanna live my life at this point i wanna die because things are bad....idk what to do

[ccsmod15]

Hello! Thank you so much for reaching out, we appreciate you seeking out for help.

To begin with, you mentioned that your aunt is a very strict guardian, and she found some stuff on your phone that led to her punching you at work. That’s a very hard situation to be in, and you’re really brave for enduring it all. With that being said, no one should have to go through the psychical/ verbal abuse that you’re experiencing, you’re not alone. In most states, anyone under 18 is considered a minor, so you may want to contact your local authorities about reporting child abuse. If you feel like your safety is ever threatened, you may reach out to your local police department, and let them know what altercations have occurred with your aunt.

Along those same lines, since you’re 18, an option to explore would be to contact any other relative in your family, and see if the possibility is there to spend a couple of days with them. If no option presents itself, then you may look up shelters in your area at the homelessshelterdirectory.org. You can also give us a call at 1800) 786-2929. We may be able to provide you with shelters that have transitional housing in your area, and other programs to assist you further.

Again, thank you so much for reaching out. We care about your well-being, and want the best for you. If you need further assistance, or want us to call somewhere on your behalf, you can reach out to us at 1800) 786-2929. Best of

[Guest]

I am currently 17 years old now. I don’t want to go to school. My parents are trying to force me to go to college. My boyfriend lives in England. I’m planning to leave home to go stay with him and his family and eventually apply for a work visa in Newcastle. Since I would be 18 there is no legal way my parents can make me come home correct??

[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. 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian.

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

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I live in New Jersey, and I plan to run away after High school. Things at home are bad, I face emotional neglect and emotional abuse from my mother. I am 18. If my parents call the police will I be forced to come back home?

[ccsmod13]

Thank you so much for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It takes a lot to seek help during difficult times. Know that you deserve to feel safe and loved at home. Abuse of any kind is never okay.

You mentioned wanting to leave home. At 18, you are considered a legal adult in the state of New Jersey. This means that if you leave your parents’ home, your parents may file a missing person report but if the police find you, they do not have to send you back to them.

You also have options in terms of dealing with the neglect and abuse. The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a crisis text line. If you text “connect” to 741741 you can text with a crisis counselor to find coping strategies for prioritizing your mental health as you take these next steps toward independence.

Also know that you can reach out to us at anytime. We have online chats as well as 24/7 phone lines at 1-800-RUNAWAY. Our number is toll-free and confidential. On a call, we can explore more detailed options, such as housing resources.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello, i will be 18 in a a few weeks and i’m planning on leaving home. The problem is the way i get my money now is through my legal guardian (i babysit for her) and i only have a limited saved up; which is not enough for an apartment. So i was wondering of any places i could go to get help with housing until im able to get a job so i can pay rent etc. i really can not stay in this household much longer.

[ccsmod0]

Hey there,

You can contact us directly, and we can look up shelters in your area. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). You can also search shelters by city and state on homelessshelterdirectory.org.

Best of Luck
NRS

[Guest]

my parents are throwing away all of my food and never let me eat or do anything. i wish i was dead

[ccsmod15]

Thanks for reaching out to us. It sounds like you’re dealing with a frustrating situation with your parents. We’re not legal experts, but broadly speaking, parents /legal guardians are legally required to provide you with adequate care and support, and that includes your basic needs like food, as well as support for your emotional well-being. If you’re in a situation where you’re being kept from having those needs fulfilled, that’s definitely not okay.

If you haven’t already done so, you may want to consider asking your parents why they throw away your food/reasoning for not letting you do activities. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so on your own, you may want to consider having a neutral 3rd party present when you talk to them about it, perhaps a friend, neighbor, relative or other adult there to keep the lines of communication open/prevent things from escalating to a shouting match.

If you feel like you’re being harmed by not having enough to eat, you could also consider contacting the police or Child Help, the national child abuse hotline, to report what’s going on (child help is 1-800-422-4453 or online at wwwchildhelp.org). Your safety and well-being is important to us, so you could also contact us to get connected to immediate help.

You also mentioned wishing you were dead. That sort of statement concerns us, because your safety is our main concern. If you’ve been having suicidal or self-harm thoughts, please do not hesitate to contact us or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. We’re both available 24 hours a day to talk to you.

We hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have questions or need to brainstorm more options to improve your situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us on our phone line (1-800-RUNAWAY) or online chat room at www.1800RUNAWAY.org – both are staffed 24 hours 7 days a week to help. Best of luck to you, and we hope to hear from you soon.