What are the consequences of a 15 year old running away

ummm i wanna run away and im only 15 but my boyfriend he tried to talk me out of it but my mother keep messing up my life and im tierd of it at this point idk what to docan you help plssss

Hi, I'm 15 and I really can't stand my parents anymore they make me feel unsafe and uncomfortable I really want to run away from them, they don't let me go they keep saying is for my own good but why? If they say is for my "own good" then why do they make me feel unsafe and uncomfortable..? I just want to stay with my friends or my boyfriend... My dad is really the one who makes me unsafe since he was the one always hurting me and my mom is the one that makes me uncomfortable she screams at me and yelling on top of her lungs.. they both won't leave me alone for once I hate my parents and I can't deal with their crap anymore they treat my siblings right at least they are alright but I hate them last time I tried harming myself.. this time I can't do it anymore I really need to run away from them.

[ccsmod15]

Hi, thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like things are really difficult with your family right now, and we’re sorry to hear that you feel like everyone is falling apart. It can be hard to manage when emotions are running high and people are angry.
It is understandable that you feel like you need a break, a little time away to calm down and gather your thoughts. We can also see why you don’t want to hurt your family in the process. Maybe there is somewhere safe you can go for a few hours, or even a few days – to a trusted friend or family member who doesn’t live with you – and perhaps you could even let your family know before you leave that you need a little time but that you will be back home soon. If you do leave home overnight just know that it is possible that your family could file a police report and, if they did, the person(s) you are staying with could get in trouble for harboring a minor.
If you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-786-2929 or on our chat line at www.1800runaway.org. We are here 24/7. Take care.

Hello, please help me. I am fifteen years old and my family and I have been falling apart. We all have been through some fights and are so angry at each other. I want to just drop everything and leave. What should I do? I have run away before, but they found me within an hour. They were crying and sad. I do not want to break their hearts again, but I just cannot take it. I need a little break for a while, and then I'm planning to come back home. What am I supposed to do?

[ccsmod15]

Hello!
Thank you for reaching out to NRS! You do not deserve to be treated that way. Your parents should make you feel loved and supported. Child Help is a great resource that deals with how your parents are treating you. You can reach them at 1800-422-4453 or go to www.childhelp.org and use their live chat.
It is great that you have such a great support system through your friend and his dad. We are not legal experts, but from what we know it is not illegal for you to leave your house. If your parents were to get the police involved, and not allow you to stay with your friend’s family, they could potentially charge your friend’s family with harboring a runaway. We can definitely discuss this further with you if call our hotline at 1800-786-2929 or chat with us via our online chat at www.1800runaway.org. We are available 24/7 and are confidential.
Take care!
National Runaway Safeline

Hello, I'm 15 and I want to leave my house because I feel like in not good at all to my parents I always make them mad and sad, to the point were my parents start saying things like, "I really should have aborted you " to " I don't love you anymore and I don't wanna be your mom" I wanna stay at my friends house for some time and try to get a job with him and me and him go to the same school, what can happen in legal ways will I go to jail or will my friend get in legal trouble? I just don't feel good I'm always sad and I don't like that. I wanna be with my friend and his dad they support me 100% will they get in any legal trouble

[ccsmod10]

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

I’ve been having this problem with my caretaker (Guardian) Which is, my grandmother. And she’s been helicoptering me, and physically/mentally hurting me. I’ve been planning to run away but, I’m too scared. I’m too scared to face whatever I have to face in the world if I step out in my own. But I never had the thought of going to school and not wanting to come back home and I take slow walks from my bus stop to my house because I just wanna be away from everyone in my household. Let me remind you I’m 15 and I’m really not sure what to do my mind is just so hesitant at this moment.

[ccsmod2]

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us during this difficult time. It sounds like you are considering running away and want to know more about the consequences. The first think you should know is that it is not technically against the law for you to run away from home. In most places it’s considered a ‘status offense’. However, anyone you would be caught staying with could possibly be charged with ‘harboring a runaway’. It might be a good idea to talk to anyone who you would be staying with if they are okay taking this risk for you. It also sounds like you are wanting some independence and time apart from your home. It might be a good idea to talk to your current parent or legal guardian about your boundaries and see if they would be willing to let you spend more time with your friends. Here at the National Runaway Safeline we are always here to listen, here to help. Please give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY to talk about your options.

Hi im 15 years old and im just not happy at home. I struggle with depression and I have a lot of problems at home its a safe environment but I hate it. the only Time im happy is when im sneaking out with my friends. I want to run away and just be with my friends and by myself for a while until I want to come home. Is there anything I should know about running away that would help me. I just don't know what to do?

[ccsmod13]

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to NRS – it’s very brave of you to share what’s going on at home. We’re so sorry to hear that you feel unsafe at home. You deserve to feel loved, comfortable, and safe in your own home.

If you think you might be experiencing abuse, Child Help (www.childhelp.org) might be helpful to you. They have lots of information about child abuse and the child abuse reporting process. You can also call us at 1 (800) RUN-AWAY if you want to learn more about reporting, want help in filing a report, or just want to talk. We’re 24/7 and confidential. We’re here to listen, and we’re here to help. You’re not alone in this.

You know your situation better than anyone else, so if you believe that running away is your best option, we will do our best to support you and keep you safe. Running away is a status offense, not a legal one, which means that it’s something you can’t do because of your age. In other words, running away in and of itself cannot get you in legal trouble. If you run away, if your parents file a runaway report, and if the police find you, they will attempt to take you home. If that happens and you tell them that you don’t feel safe at home, they’ll call Child Protective Services and a social worker will conduct a full investigation. Also it is worth mentioning that if you run away, your parents file a runaway report, and the police find you living in someone else’s home, your parents have the right to press harboring charges against them. Although it isn’t guaranteed that whoever helps you will face these charges, it is a possibility.

Again, we’re so sorry to hear about what’s going at home, but you’re not alone in this. You’re welcome to call us at 1 (800) RUN-AWAY or chat with us at www.1800runaway.org. Together, we can brainstorm other options. We’re here to listen, and we’re here to help in any way we can.

Good luck & stay safe!
NRS

Im 15 and my parents shame me and make me feel un safe me and my boyfriend have been dating for almost one year when my parents found out they freak out and started treating me worst im scared of them and what they will do to me his almost 16 and im 15 we were planning on running away but he got scared when someone told him that he could go to jail for more then 7 years idk what to do and im scared

[ccsmod16]

Thanks so much for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed, and it’s good that you’re taking the time to think through all your options before making your next move.

We’re not legal experts, but if you decide run away again and your parents report you as a runaway to police, that gives police the right to bring you home. Running away is a statutory offense, not a crime, so you would not be charged with anything or taken to jail. However, there could be potential legal consequences for any adults (18+ years old) who you stay with for what’s called “harboring a runaway”.

The most important priority is staying safe, and making sure you have a plan to take care of your basic needs (food, water, medical care). We hear from many youth who find themselves in really scary situations because they ran out of money or had to live on the street.

It’s understandable that you might be feeling trapped because you’re unhappy at home. We’re here for you 24/7 at 1-800-786-2929 if you’d like to talk more about your situation or brainstorm other options. We can also help you find resources in your area like youth shelters or mental health services.

Stay strong,
NRS

im 15 and already ran away once but my parents didnt call the police. im not happy here and i genuinely just want to be happy. i know somewhere that i will be happy so what would happen if i did go there?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us at NRS. Generally speaking, your parents are your legal guardians until you turn 18, so they can decide where you live. If you do choose to leave without permission, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means that if your parents know where you are staying then they can have the police return you home.

The easiest way to leave home as a minor is with your parents’ permission. In this case, they would be allowing you to live somewhere else where you are safe and being cared for. A helpful step is to start reaching out to friends and family members you might be able to stay with. Sometimes having an adult advocate on your side can make communicating your needs more effective to your parents. Perhaps an adult family member, a friend's parent or a counselor at school can talk to your parents with you about your experience at home and the possibility of you leaving.

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.

We wish you the best,
NRS