1 months 3 weeks 6 days

[17andnot.happy]

I turn 18 in 1 month 3 weeks and 6 days. My mother is very emotionally abusive and is making me fall back into a hole I crawled out of. I was a very depressed person and anxious, and I fell into self harm because of my mothers abuse towards me. I don't blame her for everything but she didn't help. I live in Indiana and I have a friend who is 23 who wants to take me in. We are close friends and I trust them a lot. I told my mother I plan on moving out at 18 and she freaked out saying I would be stupid if I did that and she would cut me off financially. Which is fine with me I will support myself, have my friend help, and try to graduate high school. (That's my main goal, to graduate and my friend is going to help me fincally. All I have to do is pay for wifi for the house.) what laws are there against running away? Will the cops take me back home? I'm not sure I can wait that much longer till 18. I know I've come so far but it's worst and worst ...
Thanks

[ccsmod14]

Re: 1 months 3 weeks 6 days

Hi there,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like things have been really tough for you at home with your mom and we are sorry to hear about all of this. We’re here to help as much as we can.

So you shared that you are going to be 18 really soon and you’re thinking about going to live with your friend in Indiana. You disclosed that the main reason for wanting to move is the emotional abuse you have been experiencing at home. You do not deserve any type of abuse from anybody. You deserve to feel safe in your own home. It sounds like it has really added to your depression and anxiety which has got to be extremely tough. In regards to self-harming, there is a really helpful website you can access here: twloha.org, in addition to the National Suicide Hotline at (800) 273 TALK (8255).

It sounds like your friend would be really supportive, and you are pretty stable financially which is really good to hear, in addition to your motivation and desire to finish school. We’re not legal experts unfortunately so we cannot say what would or would not happen if you left before you turn 18. Generally speaking, if you leave before the age of 18 without consent from legal guardians, they have the right to make a runaway report. If a report is made, and the police find you they would just bring you back home. However, anyone that you stay with could potentially be charged for harboring. The laws of the state that you left would apply to you and your situation.

Please do call or chat with us if you would like to talk more. We’re here to help you work through your options, and develop a plan that works for you.

Best of luck,
NRS