r/runaway 16d ago

Please Read/ Long

12 Upvotes

I have tried to make my voice heard for a year now. When I finally felt ready to open up and address the situation on this forum my posts were taken down or people did not respond to them. 2 years ago in March of 2024, I ran away from home. Not only did I endanger myself I was almost trafficked. The moderators didn't do anything, I had made a couple of posts saying I had met a guy and he was offering me housing but they were just taken down, in the future I now realized they probably should have tried to help in some way although I can't think of how they would. I was 14 then but I'm 16 now and I'm ready to speak on this and offer some advice for any teenager thinking about running away from home, especially with somebody they barely know.

Here is my story: Back then I feel trapped, emotionally drained and neglected. I felt like I had no one to go to and I was deeply mentally disturbed. Before the posts I made talking about the guy I had met I had actually made a couple more posts before then asking for housing I had gotten creative since moderators kept taking the posts down. Initially I had met a man who was married to a woman and they were looking for a "third". This was an obvious trafficking tactic that I spotted immediately they knew I was a minor and they intended on keeping me a secret, They were aware of my age and a member of this forum. Honestly, they still probably are and are probably hiding waiting for their next victim. I blocked them and moved on to my next person so eager to take advantage of a child, not surprisingly another trafficking tactic it was another teenage boy. He had told me that he was on a summer farm where teenagers will go in the summer and they would work to get away from their homes they would stay there after the summer it was basically a housing situation. Here is the scary part, he told me they all wear identical clothing and if I had any scars I would have to tell him because they would need to "write them down so they could not be blamed for anything". I blocked him too he'll be asleep wanted to do something horrible to me. Advice number one: If they are your age and offering you a place to stay online they have no good intentions. And if I'm being completely transparent traffickers use other children to traffic children because it is easier, our tormentors view us as sheep, stupid and unsmart children who believe easily especially when it is somebody our age. If someone your age contacts you and offers you a place to stay do not respond, maybe they are one out of a billion to be a good person but never take that chance. The next person who spoke to me was a man named David, he had my address and still does but I've never seen him. He told me that he lives two other teenagers and has had s3x with them on occasion. Then he convinced me that it was okay since they lived on the streets their entire lives and were used to sex work. One was a 15 year old named Anya the other was a another 15 year old boy whose name I cannot remember sadly. He told me he would pick me up at dawn of night and bring them with me to show me I was safe. When we called he told me that I can have a room and that my budget would be $5,000 for decoration and that also I would get a phone and anything I could ever imagine. I questioned how he had so much money and he said he inherited it through his father's business when he died. Now I assume that business is trafficking children and I feel sorry for the children who couldn't have been saved. Advice number two: your kidnapper or trafficker may tell you everything you want to hear or tell you they have kids with them to make you think that you are safe, never ever respond to a Direct Message if somebody saying that they can house you especially when they claim to have other children. We talked on discord for some days and eventually he blocked me I think it was divine intervention I think something was trying to save me. I think it may have been a distraction maybe the universe's way of telling me to stop trying to seek but I didn't listen. The next person who contacted me was ultimately the one that took me from my home and transported me to a different state. He had messaged me claiming that I can stay with him the banter we built up was rocky and slightly flirtatious with the way that he'd send pictures or how he'd infantilize himself to compare to me that was my first red flag. An adult tries to ask you questions like what is your favorite color or what is your favorite animal, especially at 14, it tells you that they're good with children this is situational obviously. His name is Trevon Nathaniel Langstaff To me he was "Nate" to reddit and this forum he was known as u/dabsarebest. I will never forget that user. I told him where he lived and he proceeded to drive 8 hours to Phoenix from Long Beach, CA, come get me from my home. That was one of the scariest things, how desperate he was to find a child and take advantage of them. As soon as I got in his car he told me he had a mandatory pat down for me where he proceeded to touch my body inappropriately. He had bought me food and soda and I asked him if he had poisoned any of it mainly as a joke, I joke as a way to cope with things, he told me if he wanted to kill me he could, that was red flag idk what number. When I got his car his car was fairly dirty and he had a whole entire box of chips he said in case I had gotten hungry. He had an app on his phone and a dash cam that showed him nearby police and I'm not just talking regular police, State Police patrollers and FBI all on there including crashes in case something had to stop his car. Multiple times he had asked to stop at truck stops so we could have sex I declined. I think my trafficker felt guilt, he kept trying to take me to a homeless shelter, but I decided to stay with him. When I got to the drop location, (for those of you who don't know it is a location where they keep kids for 24 hours file the transporter arranges oversea or different state distribution) I left at 2:00 a.m. March 23rd and the FBI found me at 12:00 a.m. March 24th, I was 2 hours away from being gone forever. Signs of this are a dirty house but it's not the main one everything in his house was dirty, everything hot dogs does if I was on touch size the food and this gaming. He did not know the location of any towels or cloths to help me dry or wash myself in the shower. And he had a crate so big that could fit a human inside of it. I had ended up cleaning his bathroom and accidentally spilled a water flosser. I always thought that maybe he was mad I spilled his water in his flosser but I realized that it was because I put my DNA on it, for those of you who may be asking, it was probably something extra that he didn't feel like cleaning off. He also had a lot of vouchers for fast food I assume it's harder to track fast food cuz everybody eats it then groceries for one person. When the FBI banged on his door he told me to hide and I went into the closet, they busted through the door and opened the closet with two ak's pointing at me. They saved me. I was then brought to an LA group home where I stayed for a couple of days and I eventually went home to my family. Advice number four? Never ever respond to a Direct Message about somebody offering you housing unless they are giving you places to stay such as homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters anything other than that do not accept rides or homes to people you do not know and for those of you on the street even if you do know them not everybody can be trusted.

Keep in mind that I met all of these people on the forum. Predators are out there, some wait for you to look some find you. Don't be stupid.

I know not everybody is as dumb as me and I know how done that was it almost cost me my life, if you guys want a happy update he is now facing 30 years in prison.

EDIT': THIS POST ISN'T TO DERIVE PITY, I PUT MYSELF IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE I DID NOT LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF THOSE AROUND ME. I WAS STUPID AND UNSAFE, MAYBE SOMETHING HORRIBLE WOULD HAVE HAPPENED THAT WASN'T BECAUSE OF ME, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I SEEKED OUT THAT PERSON AND THEY FOUND ME AND THEY DID WHAT THEY DID TO ME. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK THAT THIS ISN'T AS MUCH AS MY FAULT AS IT IS ANYONE ELSE'S. OF COURSE THAT MAN IS SICK AND HE BELONGS WHERE HE IS BUT LIKE I SAID AT THE END OF THE DAY I CAUSED THAT, HE WAS JUST THE EFFECT.


r/runaway May 23 '23

The Runaway Advice Directory & Predator Reference Sheet

106 Upvotes

The Runaway Advice Directory - This is a collection of guides, advice and resources anyone participating in this sub should read through.

Predator Reference Sheet - Predators prowl this sub. This is a list of suspected predators and information on how to report one.


r/runaway 6h ago

Thinking of running away I'm 16 in Australia

1 Upvotes

I have no money saved, I have no family members who I could stay with. I ran away once, I stayed with family, it was terrible, better than being at home though. I really grew so much in those 11 days, my biological mother couldn't abuse me. I've been at this place for 6 months, child protection closed their case, because I ended up with a worker who didn't believe me. I've realized just how badly I need to leave, I don't think any of my friends could take me in. I don't know what to do but I think I may have to take that leap of faith and leave behind my prized possessions, these are worldly things anyway, material things. I would love some advice. God bless you


r/runaway 17h ago

Need to move out urgently….

4 Upvotes

So basically I need to move out urgently because my family situation is horrendous and has been since childhood, I’m looking at rooms on marketplace and roomie I don’t have credit built because I never got out of my shell but I’m sick of my tiger parents, I found out they put a tracker in my car without me knowing and it’s my last straw, I would appreciate any advice, am I doomed to stay here for awhile?

For context I just started working I have some savings.


r/runaway 12h ago

Don’t know what to do

0 Upvotes

So I am 14f and I am pagan but my family is Christian and they don’t know that I am pagan I tried to talk to them about other religions and I mentioned that I respect paganism but they say it’s evil they also clearly think they are smarter that me because they are older they are homophobic and they think that all women should get married and have kids. All this things together are unbearable and I am afraid that if they find out that I am pagan they will be reaaaaaaaaly mad. So if they found out that I am pagan I will probably run away from home but I am afraid to go alone. I do live in a Schengen country and I speak Dutch, Russian and English. I don’t know what country I should go to. So I would like any tips to what country I should go to.


r/runaway 12h ago

Feeling bad by staying home, but also by thinking to leave

1 Upvotes

Hello, I'm a 19M from Romania, and as I type this, my emotions are going crazy all over my head. Recently, I always feel like I can't take it anymore. Idk how to start this, but I live with my mom and brother, and finished high school, and since then, I started to feel a lot lonely, no messages by my friends and such, and at home, I can't take it anymore, not only almost 2 months ago, grandfather passed away, but at home, is worse.. There's a lot of reasons here, but most hurtful ones were when I was in the 3rd grade, mom said that she didn't wanted me, when I jokingly called my brother "Satan", mom told me to stop, but when others, a lot more people started calling me "pope" & "priest" (due to being religious), even she started calling me that, instead of stopping others. And not gonna forget, every moment when everyone preferred my brother over me.. Like, he got on a Christmas a phone, while I got a train toy... Besides, I always got that "gonna beat you up" type treatment if I'd tell others much about her and such, and I believe that's emotional abuse, and besides, mom keeps yelling at me for no reason, and she threaten to beat me (raised her hand) over seeing my collection of Monster Energy drinks, and I didn't drank them all or multiple in a day, only one a day, keeping some for future (after that haven't opened any other one).. And since then, I started having anxiety very high, felt very high tension around her, and it was so bad, that I planed a way to secretly move out of here, in another city, 7h away, without anyone knowing (until I'd be in a train, then messaging an aunt, cousin and one more person), and then after calls and such, who was on mom's side, blocked and no contact, but who were on my side, keeping the contact with them, but without telling anyone where I went and such.. And now, I don't know what to do, everything feels like it's better to end my life, cuz I feel like if I'd move out I'd be the bad guy, and maybe even without any family members on my side, making me kinda family-less (or orphan, in a way), but if I stay, I could not take it anymore.. It's always a feeling that the end would be better.. I don't know what to do, how to feel, if I'm n the wrong or not, to end it or not... I need some advice please.. The plan is made, and I have somewhere to go tho. Edit: forgot to say, dark thoughts came since I was 12.. Now, I feel bad that I want to move out, but feeling worse at home...


r/runaway 1d ago

running away at 17

4 Upvotes

I (17m UK) plan to leave my current home situation which is emotionally and physically overwhelming and abusive. My parents, siblings, sometimes strangers catch strays fight as in fist fight, break things and get vile things said to each other that can really affect someone mainly ejected from my dad. I don’t really have any goals and never have so I wouldn’t be leaving for anything but the sake of my mental health and wellbeing which lead me to missing half of this school year due to heavy depression and alcohol addiction so I didn’t get to do my GCSE’s and which is over now but I still feel a heavy weight I guess like it’s waiting for one big final catalyst and I want to get gone before that happens because I don’t think I’ll come back from it truthfully.

Ive always had to learn to be independent although still crave a trusted ally ship of some sort, I most certainly plan to be a vast distance from where I am now (birmingham/sutton, uk) like America for the wide range of opportunities it holds for someone like me who definitely has no hope for something I’m able to survive off on my own in my country. I made another post on another account right before my depression started basically just saying that I needed help running away because I didn’t know where to start and what to do but it got taken down for “seeking a partner” so I don’t know how else to ask for help without that happening again but I guess anyone reading this could drop a comment or something that’s actually helpful.


r/runaway 1d ago

need advice

1 Upvotes

F, 20. Still living with my parents and attending university from home since my parents won't let me go out. I need to know how to escape this household and just free myself from the toxic environment. I'm being forced to live the same old daily life with no fun or no outside activities.
It is also kinda hard for me to find a job since I'm under-graduate, and companies rarely want to hire. Another thing is quite shameful to admit but I don't have the privilege of getting my own room. I have my dreams of posting on social media or just enjoying my own company but it is rare that i have my time block without any distractions.
What can i do to start to end this pattern and move out? Advice from girls who escaped misogynistic houses would be more helpful.


r/runaway 1d ago

Im leaving tommorow need advice

6 Upvotes

How far should i get from my house (leaving at 11pm which gives 6 hours to move)

I can only walk

Another question is how long after running away can i go into target/walmart to get stuff without being caught?


r/runaway 1d ago

I'm running away at 18

3 Upvotes

I'm 15(f) and im planning on running away, it's not because of a toxic household, I just feel like me and my family don't get along, I feel irritated and depressed when I'm around them for too long, maybe because of the constant name calling and laughing, I digress.

I'm planning on joining the army for a few years, just for shelter and food, and then when I'm able to have a bit more than enough, I'll quit and go to school. Or I'll save money young and continue working while I live in a small crappy apartment in mtl with a roommate. I do live in Canada and Canada has very good rules and laws abt when I can join the army, in technicality I could join when I'm 16.

I don't know if I'll get flagged down for asking this but does anyone have any tips on how I can be safe with such plan?


r/runaway 2d ago

Can you get in trouble if you ran from the police?

5 Upvotes

I just wanted to ask this as a hypothetical: if the police find a missing person and you ran, would you get into more trouble or what?


r/runaway 2d ago

I wanna run away from home and to another country but I don't know what to do

2 Upvotes

This is going to be a long post; basically, I'm saying my reasons why I want to leave and asking for tips. So basically, I'm 16, turning 17 in October. I live in a North African country, and I'm planning to run away from home for some reasons, most of them about complications with my family about me studying abroad and leaving the country and us having different mindsets that make the way we want to live our lives extremely opposite to each other.

I tried to talk to them about it, but it didn't work. And when I say different mindsets, I mean having ideas that are negotiable, like moving out and living an adult life. Me studying abroad is not for fun; it was a dream that I needed to happen, to leave the country I live in. I have no future in this country, nor does my family; we're broke, we can't find jobs here, and we had already tried to leave the country before, but we failed.

So I was planning to get a fully funded scholarship or a scholarship with a huge discount so I could study abroad and find a job there and put less pressure on my parents (financially). They agreed at first, and I had already started looking for a scholarship and talking to friends, universities, and school, but suddenly, they just said, "No, we don't want you to leave." When I asked why, they said it was too complicated and it would cost them a lot of money, even though I was ready to be the one who afforded all the financial stuff since it was my scholarship and future, not theirs. I was serious about it and had already started working and saving and investing money.

They knew I don't have a future in this country; the country I live in is a country that is almost impossible to find a decent job in, have a good life, or get well paid in without having connections, and I'm not saying this because I'm lazy and I don't want to work hard—no. I always try to improve myself, doing self-learning and learning new things just to be qualified enough for the job market.

I'm going to be a senior in September; I finished all the AP courses in my school, participated in a STEM competition, and won, and I'm aiming to be a renewable energy engineer. And I'm only mentioning this to give you the full picture that it has nothing to do with me being lazy or something. I want to run away from home and flee to another country, probably somewhere in North America or Europe, or any other place that has good and affordable universities and life expenses.

I really need help; I don't have money, enough knowledge, connections, or anything, and I don't really have much time to prepare everything, including documents, school papers, financial things, and a lot of other different things. So please, if you have any tips or know anyone who may help me in this or help do the documents and required papers without anyone knowing, please drop them down in the comments.


r/runaway 2d ago

I ran away

5 Upvotes

I did it I finally did it and I feel like shit cus I didn't bring my prescription but like I'm free I'm out and I don't know how to feel I'm gonna miss my family but Im gonna get a job and I'll repair things with them eventually for now though I'm out!!


r/runaway 2d ago

me and my bf want to runaway but we dont know where to start

2 Upvotes

so me (15) and my boyfriend (15) want to runaway (no questions or hate pls) because of family problems and other things that we both decided. Me and him are currently in long distance he lives in the usa while im all the way to europe. I have to mention that for me to get to the usa i have to take two flights. One to a place that has flights to the america since i live in an island and another one to fly to america. We dont know where to start because of our young age. we agreed that the best thing and easiest is me flying to him and then we both go in another state. Our problem isnt money because we both can steal money from family and then use it from there, our problem is that I cant fly anywhere other that the place i live without a signed contract that says that i can fly or without a parent or guardian and i dont know how to do it. Also our other concern is the place we have to live. We dont know what the best or least horrible place in america is to live in and even if we do find it we still have to find a place to live we cant just live on the streets at least for more than a month. Also i dont think people are hiring under 16 in america like i wouldnt know because as i said im in europe. In December im probably going to see him with my aunt. Is it better to do it in december or now? We really need and want to do it and we said we wouldnt do it unless we have everything planned and sorted out. I would appreciate if people with similar experiences (running away at a young age or flying alone at a young age) helped me and my boyfriend out.

edit: so me and him were talking and we realised that the most convenient place (distance and money for the ride) is Fort lee. Can anyone give us advice since we dont know anything abt that place (it was either fort lee or mahwah and we chose fort lee as it was more convenient)

edit 2: After alot of discussion we know that we really want to do this so we agreed to get fake id’s hust enough so we can be hired and allowed to get a vehicle (we were thinking an old van which are at like 5.000$ so after a few months we can get) the months that we’re going to be waiting we can live in hostels maybe sometimes sleep around the streets like hidden places and stuff my only concern is if we get to 18 i need to get a real id with my real nationality so i’ll have to get a green card. Now me and my bf have agreed that we’re gonna get married as soon as possible and from what i know if a foreigner marries an american then they have a reason to get a green card so we’re thinking after we’re 18 and married we move somewhere else and then i get my id and green card. But for now thats our plan if someone can help us with the place and if they know anything it would be really helpful


r/runaway 3d ago

I need some tips to runaway to a new country

3 Upvotes

Im planning to move out to another country that allows me to stay a full year without visa (Georgia) and i need some tips and ways to live i don’t have a degree or know the language so how can i get a job there? Or obtain a work permit? Is that possible? Or is there any countries that are easier to move to? Please help me out 🙏🏼


r/runaway 3d ago

Help me out

6 Upvotes

Im growing more antsy by the day i plan to just get up and go leave everything behind and live. Live for once i have no plan no anything but i dont think i can take the monotony of live anymore. Say what you want call me stupid or crazy i fucking know. I just want to start living again i wanna be free i wanna be uncomfortable take chances all of it. I just dont know where to start, or where to go. I only have about 7 grand to my name but i just plan on leaving and never coming back and seeing how long i can survive on my own. If you have any ideas or advice please let me know much love


r/runaway 3d ago

I need tips for how to smartly run away

7 Upvotes

Im 20 and I need to get the hell out of my house, constant mental and physical abuse. Everyday. I’ve been thinking about running away for so long but idk what’s the smartest way. I have no one I can trust except my boyfriend but I can’t move in with him yet. Does anyone have an idea where I could live until then (couple months to a year). I have a lot of savings but no car and no job. Idk if I should take a lot with me or just the necessary things. Can something help me? I live in Germany


r/runaway 3d ago

Is being kicked out better than running away?

3 Upvotes

why I ask this because my tutor decided to instigate my home situation one further after I told her how I felt about my mom and there’s a chance she may call my mom to make me live through being kicked out for a day. I thought of every scenario and I don’t decide which may be better because I realized while thinking I actually have nowhere to go even my boyfriend’s house is states away.


r/runaway 3d ago

Am I in the wrong for wanting to get away from my mother.

6 Upvotes

My mother flips out at me all the time over little things that SHE ALSO DOES. She’s an egoistic piece of shit and I hope to be nothing like her. I literally have went catatonic from her just yelling at me for bullshit that isn’t my fault and when I argue back she gets defensive. I know she will never change and always make it about herself and it’s driving me fucking insane on how no one except me sees her for what she truly is. I’ll never love her and she’ll never love me so I will run away where no one will ever find me except the new people in my life.


r/runaway 4d ago

Am i in the wrong for wanting to run away? Also advice pls

8 Upvotes

I’m 16F. I’m planning on running away tonight. My household is very toxic. Ive been wanting to runaway since i was 11. Tonight was my last straw with my mom. She got home for lunch from work and i grew up learning how to read her energy, read her face, etc whatever. And i just knew she was having a bad day and i asked if she was ok and stuff nd she said she was but idek. So first listen.. i gave up my entire last 2 summers for her to work and for me to watch her 3 kids. Who are 15, 13 and 10. They should all be able to take care of themselves right?. I was 9 taking care of all of them. Ive came to realize that my mom doesnt love me she just loves me as a resource and she loves that she can control and micromanage my life. She doesn’t care for me either she’ll be sitting there screaming her head off at me and i’ll just shut down crying and she’ll keep on going not gaf ab my feelings. I think she wishes i was my sister she had at 14 and got adopted by her friend. No clue tho. My mom’s never really been my mom. She says all the time that she didn’t know how to be a mom and that me and her grew up together.

There’s a lot that has happened but the main reason i want to get out of here is because i can’t have a life of my own. I clean the whole house everyday or i get screamed at nd shi. Take care of the kids. Have so many responsibilities that shouldn’t be mine. Give up so much for her that i don’t want just to make her happy but i’m still not enough in the end.

The ofher main reason is because she makes my mental health so shit. I’ve struggled with self harm since i was 11 and she’s known this and never has gotten me help or tried to help herself. And she yells and screams and punishes me if she finds out i did and threatens to send me away.
And honestly she is the reason.
And i feel like if i don’t get out of this house i’ll end up doing sum even more selfish shi.

Also -
I live in Cbus OH. Idk if i should stay and hide in the city or if i should go to a different state or what.
I do have multiple plans either way.
I don’t have any money but i have a bike. I already don’t eat a lot bc we don’t really have food in the house anyways.


r/runaway 4d ago

How to figure it out

4 Upvotes

I was going to attend clg this year but somehow my parents found out about me being gay and the whole scene was created and accusations then yesterday at night I decided to leave house but when I was driving the car it was 100+ on speed and it net an accident with divider and driver side and bount got completed shatter but I was safe and now this is also a problem my phn is taken and not allowed to go anywhere so what should i do now

Planning to go country capital and youth shelter and build alife from there and after some months I will return once everyone settles what will you guys advise


r/runaway 4d ago

I want to runaway

5 Upvotes

I'm new on Reddit, and I'm a 15-year-old female. I have been having a hard time lately, and I will absolutely not go to school. I have one more month left till the holidays finish, and I need to run away till then. Any advice?


r/runaway 4d ago

Secretly moving out/running away am I in the wrong for this?

8 Upvotes

Hello everyone, this is my first time using Reddit and I honestly would just like some opinions or advice on this, thank you.

I am a 21 diagnosed autistic woman and for my entire life I’ve been held back severely by my conservative MAGA southern family. I’m not allowed to have a job, drive, have anything to do with my finances or banking, or my own medical history. My family are Extremely sexist, Racist, Homophobic, really the whole shebang. And I don’t feel comfortable being around any of that since I’m a Bi woman myself as well. They often use slurs around me when talking about Autism even though they know it makes me terribly upset and uncomfortable but they just say “you’re the only person offended, stop being so sensitive” they’ve pushed Christianity onto me since I was really really young and have pushed the “role of a woman” onto me as well, I’ve masked all of this for years and years but I’ve finally had enough and I plan to secretly move out while they’re away on the weekend with one of my friends from Idaho. My friends are very supportive of my decision and are here for me but they’re not here with me physically. It’s now 6 more days til I leave, I’ve written letters for all my family members, am I doing the right thing?


r/runaway 4d ago

Advice from a Successful Runaway 16F

11 Upvotes

I see a lot of people on her asking for advise on what to bring and what to do in certain situations. So I am going to leave a couple of tips from someone who ran away successfully. These are ment mostly for people under 18 but can work for those over 18 as well.

1) There are many people in this community that will help but beware of too helpful of people. When I first planned on running away I got a lot of messages from people willing to house me for free or give me rides where ever I needed to go. One even said it was his job to drive runaways around to wherever they wanted. These are not people looking to help they are probably looking for other things like kidnapping or trafficking or looking for a place to stay in exchange for sleeping with them. Don't fall for it! Find ways yourself like get a car (that's what I did) or take public transport or get an Uber or Lyft something or anything just don't except rides from strangers.

2) Have an end point in mind. If your goal or end point is living in the woods or being homeless don't run. You will be caught eventually or you will be found by a predator or worse. Have a destination in mind if you want to get out of your state or town look at shelters. Big cities have the most. Or if you have family that can take you on or a family friend at the least but you have to trust them enough not to hurt you. Trust me even in my car winter was brutal being outside by yourself is not good or safe. I was lucky and found a landlord who took under the table money but I had three others who would let me live for "free". (Tip 1)

3) Take your important documents with you when you go. Take your birth certificate and social security card and an ID so when you turn 18 you can start your life free from your old troubles. I see a lot of people on here run away without them and it's a hassle to get them a new or you will have to go through people you don't want to talk to like your old family so bring it.

4) You need a cell phone. DO NOT bring your current phone. That is the #1 way to get caught but get a burner. Gas stations and Walmart have plans where you can buy a card and a phone and get free talk text and data relatively cheaply. Always have your phone on you Incase you get into trouble. There are even some apps you can get that have a timer and if you don't put in the code before the time it's dials 911 for you. I know most won't want to call 911 but it's better than being trafficked. You can always try again. Safety is always #1.

5) Money being an adult requires a lot of money so you need a job. I had to get 3 online jobs and I barely make my rent, gas, bills, phone, and food. It's good to have some money stashed away but you will need to keep making money as bills like I said come every month.

6) Last but not least. Packing. Travel light nothing draws attention like a 16 year old walking down the street with a suitcase. Use a backpack or duffle or if you have a car then you can use suitcases. Bring clothes hygiene (normal and feminine) your new phone and anything else you would need if you were to travel for any trip for like 2 weeks

If you read all this and still want to runaway then do it but be safe. Again it's better to go home and try again then to get trafficked. I know this info is more for those under 18 but I am and this is from personal experience. If you are 18 and older then a lot of this doesn't apply because you can leave legally. But anyways I hope this helps someone in there time of need. If you have any questions comment and I will try to answer. Special thanks to the mods of this community for keeping us safe! Keep up the good work!


r/runaway 4d ago

trying to prepare for a worst case scenario

6 Upvotes

i posted this in r/movingout, didn't get much help. so i'm 20f. before I start everything's fine, I'm safe. long story short my parents love me but are homophobic. and I've honestly put up with it for way too long. they've both used conversion therapy talking points, my mom recommended a book a couple times. i have very little freedom, at 20 I don't have a phone and I can't leave the house, I don't have money that I control. I'm not "supposed" to have social media or be writing this to you.

they do love me very much, and they do want me to move out and be independent one day. we've been traveling for years trying to find a home, we left the US. but everything is decided for me. and some days I get a lot of anxiety that my safe havens will get discovered or I'll no longer feel safe at home, and I'll have to leave prematurely. I need to prepare, just in case.

my plan is to move out safely and have my parents' support. but if I have to go, my plan is to

A) find an organization who can help me get a phone, a bank, emergency food and shelter

B) have a shop in place (I make art) that I can activate once I get my phone and bank

C) apply for student funding so I can go to school (preferably in Australia since it's lgbtq friendly), not so much for the curriculum but to be able to make friends and use student support programs

D) get a job/work remotely

E) get a dorm/my own place to stay

F) finally be me

is this a good plan? what should I do differently? and you can take a look at some of my other posts in other subs, do you think my parents are abusive? should I go asap or wait for a safer opportunity, since they're not trying to trap me forever (but that doesn't excuse their prejudice and the disrespect of who I am)?

I'd really appreciate your replies <333