im 16 and u want to move out of my parents house

[Guest]

I am 16 I'll be 17 in April my mom mentally abuses, me she takes stuff that I use to communicate with to other people. I can't handle living with her anymore. I have a boyfriend who is older than me and if willing to let me move in with him away from my mom and step dad. My boyfriend is 20 we are only 4 years apart, but I have known him for 4-5 years now though. My mom doesn't like his age either and also is trying to keep me from even seeing him. By threating me and him. Is there a way I can get out of my house and live with him because I'll be fully supported and live better.

[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 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 and with the difference in age its possible your boyfriend would face statutory rape charges depending on your state. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
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 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]

My parents are looking to buy a house and I don't want to move with them and I want to finish school first.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

It sounds like you have some big decisions to face with this change coming up. If you'd like to talk about with us we are here to listen and help in any way we can. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY or you can reach us via chat at our website: www.1800runaway.org. We are confidential and open 24/7 and look forward to hearing from you soon.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

Hey I’m 16 years olds and I live in Connecticut. I was taken away from my mom five years ago because she was physically and emotionally abusive. I came back and thought changed but she didn’t. I’ve been with her for almost a year now and she still does the same physically and emotionally abusive stuff she didn’t before. Can I just call an Uber and go live with my grandma?

[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. We're sorry to hear that your mom was not able to make any kind of lasting changes. You do not deserve to be abused in any way! If you are currently at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You have the right to report it any abuse or harm that is happening at home. If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.

It may be beneficial to speak with your grandma directly about your desire to live move back in with her. Sometimes custody transfers will need to go through the family court system and it may be beneficial to speak with a legal advocate. If you need help locating a legal aid group near you you can check out https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help/.

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

We'd love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to support youth and families. Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

hi my name is rena im 15 years old i live in ga and i suffer from fear and pain from my mother there were times when i was a kid and she dragged me and beat me like i was nothing and i been terrified of her ever since she throws her hand back at me know i'm scared idk what to 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 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.
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 want to move out of my parents house before I’m 18 and move in with my sister but I know my parents will never say yes to that and I want to know a way for me to move out without them being able to get me back into there house.

[ccsmod3]

Hey there,

Were thankful you reached out to us! We understand it can be difficult to reach out, we hope to help as best we can. You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. 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.

Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. Usually, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process.
Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need legal resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.
Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

Hello I am 16 I live in **** and I have been dealing with verbal abuse and physical abuse from both my parents throughout my whole life. It has been getting worst to the point where I have told my parents I will leave and my mother said do it get it over with. But I know the second I leave she’s going to be calling the cops to find me. My best friend has been aware of this and has always welcomed me to their house for as long as I need and their parent are aware of my situation and are ready to help. I have multiple mental health issues because of them and I have very bad PTSD from them. What type of stuff can I do quickly that can help? Thank you

[ccsmod3]

Hey there. Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. We know that it can take a lot of courage to reach out for support, and we're glad you took that step.

It sounds like things at home have been pretty difficult for you, and we're sorry to hear that. Experiencing verbal and physical abuse is not okay, and you don't deserve that sort of treatment. If you feel as though you are at risk of being physically hurt, it might be a good idea to reach out to Child Protective Services and file an abuse report. Their job is to ensure that you're safe in your home, and if you're not, to decide what steps should be taken in order to make sure that you are. If this is something that you're interested in doing, you can file a report on your own, by contacting us here at NRS for support, or by telling a safe person of the abuse (like a teacher, school counselor, therapist, etc.). Each person that I've listed is considered a Mandated Reporter and has a legal obligation to contact CPS when there are any suspicions or indications of abuse.

Beyond the above, another way to work through what you're experiencing might be to try and talk with a safe person about what's going on, like a therapist or a counselor. These folks can can be super supportive, providing you with a safe space to vent, be heard, and/or otherwise feel supported. They can also help you develop the tools you need to address some of the issues that you're experiencing, as well as to come up with a safety plan if needed. And because you mentioned also having multiple mental health issues, including PTSD, they can help you stay on top of those as well. A good starting point in finding someone to talk to would be with your school social worker or counselor (if your school has either), but you can also reach out to us here at NRS for referrals in your area.

If you'd like to chat in more detail about what's going on at home, talk through some of your options, or otherwise just connect for support, please feel free to reach out to us directly by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or by chatting with us live at www.1800runaway.org. We're available 24/7 and are always happy to listen, and to help.

Take care.

NRS

[Guest]

i don’t want to be with my parents anymore

[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).
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]

I'm 16 I live in Oregon. My mom is emotionally abusive. I feel as if I am walking on egg shells. My dad lives in Minnesota and he is the exact same way. I have people that I can go move in with. But my parents will not let me. They often forget big needs that I have. Like meds or things like that. While living with them my mental health is not doing good. I am struggling in school and with work due to the way things are at home. How can I get emancipation?

[ccsmod15]

It sounds like you are interested in emancipation. We are not legal experts, but we can help you get a general sense of how emancipation works. Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. Usually, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process. Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need legal resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. Our number is 1800-RUNAWAY and our live chat can be found at www.1800RUNAWAY.org.
We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 and want to move out my dad’s house.
I’m unable to live with my mom because ( their reason ) Not enough room, but at my dads it’s torture so much of mentally abuse over the years I just turned 16 a few months ago so I have a long way to go to become 18, my dad uses drugs, and bipolar as it is, drugs makes it worst, my mom and dad puts me in the middle of everything so I get cussed out and punished either way. They don’t think about me or put me first, I just want to move out. I don’t know how to deal with my dad my mom don’t really have much to deal with me, please I need advice..

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline and sharing your story. You are very brave.

You do not deserve to be abused or kicked out of your home. If you think it would be helpful to talk further about the abuse you can reach out to Child Help, the child abuse hotline, by chatting with them at their website, childhelp.org, or calling or texting them at 1-800-422-4453. Child Help or the National Runaway Safeline can also help you file an abuse report about your parents if you would like. Having an open abuse report about your parents combined with your mom saying you are unable to live with her could decrease the chances of you being returned home if you run away and are found by the police. Running away is only a status offense, and if you run away and are found by the police you could be returned home. When moving out it can be important to consider where you are going to live, what you are going to bring with you, and how you are going to get there. If you want to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us at our website, we could help you talk through a plan and find safe places to stay.
Thanks again for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. You are not alone. Feel free to give us a call or chat with us anytime as we are available 24/7 and are completely confidential. Best of luck!

[Guest]

hi im 16 turning 17 and i wanna move out because i rap but my parents are not letting me and i want that to b my future i have a partime job in *************** and i just dont wanna live here anymore i wonder if its possible for my age to move out . and im trynna work on my future but my parents want me to go to college it aint for me . i rap and i gotten record labels and i had to turn it down due to my parents and im mad about it .

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out, we hope to help as best we can. It sounds like you’ve felt unsupported by your parents at home lately, we’re sorry you’ve been going through this challenging time. For the most part, 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. 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. In some areas, if you are close to turning 18 they may not actively search for runaway youth. Do keep in mind each PD may handle things a bit different.

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]

Hey I’m a 16 year old in Oregon and my moms been getting abusive and has been mentally putting me down I don’t want to be here anymore and I have someone who I can go to for parent figure can I just leave and call the cops/tell them about what is going on and ask them to ask them to give me a ride

[ccsmod15]

Hello!

Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like you are going through a difficult time now at home and we are very glad you reached out to us.

Your safety is our number one priority. If you do not feel safe at home please call 911 or the police for help. In the state of Oregon you are considered a minor until you turn 18. Therefore, your parents are your legal guardians until then. However, if the parent figure you would like to live with is an adult and your mom allows it you can move out. Another option is to file a child abuse report with Child Protective Services. Or you could speak to a trusted adult like a school teacher or relative and see how they could help you.

You don't deserve to be treated like that at home. Please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or contact us through our chat option and we can talk further. We are here to listen and help in any way we can!
NRS

[Guest]

I am 15 going to be 16 soon and I want to move out.

I'm from oregon and I want to move out to a friends or my grandpa's house because I'm not exactly in danger but it is unsafe for me to live in this house in this town. So I guess I'm just needing to know if I can move out without my bio mom having veto power

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out; we're glad that you did. It's understandable to want to move out to a friend or grandparent if you are not feeling safe at home. The hard part is that until you are 18 in your state, your mom, if she's the custodial parent, does have veto power.
Perhaps your grandfather can ask if you can live with him on your behalf. If that's not an option, we hope that you will reach out to us to talk this over and help you discover what your options may be.
You can chat us through this website or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I want to move out of my house when I turn 16

honestly it sucks here at my house I’m always in a fight with my mom,dad, sister, or my brothers. It’s gotten to the point we’re I can’t take it and sometimes I think dying is my only escape but I have friends who would be willing to take me in, I’m just not old enough yet. But when it comes time that I am would I be able to even if my parents won’t let me? I can’t stay at my own house it’s like a jail cell here.

[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).
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]

I am 16 and I live in Minnesota is it legal for m to run away from a toxic home if I have a place that I know I could stay.

[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 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.
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 forum 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 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