Your abuser may have threatened you or told you not to tell; do not listen to them. If the first person you tell does not believe you, find another adult and tell them. Not every adult is a good listener, and if you aren’t taken seriously, it doesn’t mean your problem isn’t real or serious. The adult you tell may call the police or call Child Protective Services. [2] X Research source
Do you have somewhere to go? Do you have resources? How will you continue to go to school and get an education? Who will you depend on if you leave home? What will you do about it? Have you reached out to anyone about your situation at home? Is there anything you can do to make things better at home? Have you considered other options to make your home a safer place?
Food Shelter Transportation Clothing Money
Good ways to make quick money include doing odd jobs around your neighborhood, babysitting, taking care of other people’s pets, running your own business (e. g. sell candy, give manicures, sell any extra items) and house-sitting for friends and neighbors. If you get lunch money everyday, try to eat light or skip lunch and save the money instead. If you are 18, you can open a bank account on your own to keep your money. If you are still a minor, you will not be able to open an account without your parent or legal guardian. [4] X Research source
In the United States call Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-786-2929. In the UK call 0800 1111 (NSPCC Childline) In Australia call 1800 688 009 (CAPS) In New Zealand call 0800-543-754 (Kidsline) In the US, call 911 if it gets too serious. Child Helpline International also maintains a list of numbers if you live in any other country. If you need to get out of the house immediately and do not know anywhere to go, go to a library, police station, fire station, or any public place that stays open 24/7.
Also, avoid telling people who obey your abusers. For example, if you have an abusive mother and your father is a pushover, then your mother may be able to get information from your father about your plans.
If you take a mobile phone, be careful. Your parent will be able to track you through your phone. If you can afford to, get a cheap phone that your parents don’t know about. Keep a list of contacts with you at all times such as police, emergency personnel, or anyone else who can help you in an emergency.
You are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, poor health, low self-esteem, poor nutrition, and have suicidal thoughts. Try to stay in touch with supportive friends, adults, or family members who can keep your spirits up. You will have more difficulty attending school and completing your education. You will need to have a proof of residence and your immunization records to stay in school. You may struggle to support yourself financially and get a job. Save some money or get a job so you do not have to do illegal or unsafe things (e. g. sell drugs or use your body). If you have a safe place to sleep, save money before you leave, and a way to stay in school, you should be able to avoid most of these.
This number is free to call and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The counselor can explain to you what will happen after you file an abuse report. If you are not in the United States, contact your country’s local police.
You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call the hotline, it is up to you how much information you share. A counselor can also help you plan how you will run away and access some resources for teenagers in your situation.
You can also text “SAFE” and your address, city, and state to 69-866. You will then receive a text message with the nearest Safe Place and a phone number for a local youth shelter. If you want to get connected to a counselor, you can text “2CHAT” to get more help. This is a great option if you have already run away or need to get out of your home immediately.
Self doubt is normal. Doubting whether it was abuse is not uncommon, either. If need be, write things down (such as facts about your abuse, or facts about your independence skills) to help you stay grounded.
Trying to guilt you into coming back Pretending not to need you Playing the victim
It is illegal to run away in Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming if you are under the age of 18. If you do run away in one of these states, then you may be detained by the police, taken to a homeless shelter, or the police officer may try to take you back home. [16] X Research source You may also be subject to penalties, such as suspension of your license, a curfew, or drug testing.
The police may also take you to a shelter, crisis center, or Juvenile Hall to keep you safe. Be sure to tell the police that you are afraid to go home. While some states do have criminal charges for children who run away from home, there are also services available to children who run away from home and for their families as well. Talking to a police office may help you to access these services, which is preferable to a life on the streets. [18] X Research source
The National Runaway Safeline can refer you to legal services to help you complete your paperwork and get information. These process can be very overwhelming and difficult to complete on your own. You must file your guardianship paperwork at the courthouse and make an appointment to meet with he judge. Once you meet with the judge, the judge will decide if guardianship is best for you. Your parents will be notified that you have filed the papers. A legal guardian will assume all the rights and responsibilities that your parents had. The process for filing papers varies by state.
You will have to file papers and go before a judge to plead your case. You must show the judge that you can take care of yourself and have good reason to seek emancipation. Emancipation is permanent and there is no going back. Be sure this is what you want to do. In most states, the minimum age for legal emancipation is 16, but in California children as young as 14 may be emancipated. [19] X Research source
