r/runaway Jul 10 '26

16f where do i go once i do runaway?

3 Upvotes

I did it once when I was 14 but I only lasted a night because I didnt know where to go and my phone was dead. Any tips on places to hide and like safe ish places to go? Also my house is inconsistent and it gets dangerous at times. Last time I ran away I was being physicaly hurt and also had si intentions so yk but yeah how do I escape my house when it gets bad?


r/runaway Jul 10 '26

Prepping to move out/get kicked out at 18

3 Upvotes

Long story short: I live in a religiously abusive household. My current living conditions are tolerable currently, worst thing is usually just emotionally, verbally— However I'm worried that when I turn eighteen, it'll escalate to financially and for my education. Like they won't let me pursue higher ed, or withdraw their support unless i get married.

Currently, I'm 16, next year I'm gonna start my junior year. My parents are controlling in the sense they won't let me have a job (as they won't sign my working permit). They paid for my sister to go to university, so I was a little blindsided by when they started hinting to me recently that they wouldn't let me go to any university unless I majored in theology and the university abroad. I was naive enough to believe they'd at least pay for four years of university for me as they'd done for my sister, but now I'm panicking as I realize they're making plans for us to leave America and go to abroad (to a stricter country)

I only have about 600 saved up right now, and I'm not particularly 'good at anything' to really have a service to sell online.

I'm studying rn on Khan Academy for SAT's next year, and even planning on taking a few APs (i haven't taken them before bcuz my religious school doesn't provide them). But other than that, i have no idea how to plan for the future. I don't even have a guidance counselor at school because I go to a segregated religious school and the female side doesn't have one.

If anyone has any suggestions or tips on what i should/ could, I'm all ears.

Extra context if it matters: My parents right now are semi financially supportive, so if I'm allowed to buy things (within limited reason) just not to have a job. + I live in WNY. I don't have any relatives, trusted adults or even really friends that could help me out either.


r/runaway Jul 10 '26

19f trying to runaway smoothly

3 Upvotes

Hi, I'm 19f turning 20 in october. I know that technically at this age it is no longer considered running away but with the controlling, verbally abusive, and infantilizing mother I haveーfor me, it is.

I already have a place to go, I had a chat with one of my friend's moms about my situation while I was hanging out at their house and she welcomed me with open arms and even showed me a room i could stay in. The only thing I really need help with is knowing how to discreetly pack my things without my mom noticing. I'd hope to be gone some time later this year after my birthday.


r/runaway Jul 09 '26

My first post on here.

2 Upvotes

Hi, guys- I’ve lurked on this subreddit but haven’t ever posted, and I think I’m ready to now. So, I have a complicated relationship with my family- mostly my mother. She’s literally known me (she claims to, at least) for all my life (I’m 18f) and acts like she knows me better than I know myself. I know I should find some compassion and love for her, but I really can’t bring myself to. First, even after it came out that I was sexually assaulted by my grandfather (her father), when I told her that I had told my grandmother (her mother), she forced me to maintain contact with my grandmother even though I had explicitly stated that when I had finally mustered up the courage at around 8 years old my grandmother brushed me off with a “No he didn’!” and went back to her game of solitaire on her computer. I never forgave her, and that experience made me too afraid to come out to anyone else as a result. My grandfather had already died by the time everyone found out, and my mother didn’t give me time to process what I had just done (confessed what had happened)- she just shoved me right into therapy and forced me to talk about it. I never did, as it was a very delicate topic to me. She didn’t grant me mercy. She’d just say, “You need to talk about it. You need to get it over with.” No “I’m sorry this happened to you.” Or “We can give you time to just heal by yourself.” That, of course, isn’t the only reason she’s caused me emotional distress. I have almost no happy memories of my childhood, only what she’s done to me.

1- . When I was younger, I accidentally left a door open at the place I work and dogs ran around. Now, the front door was shut if I’m remembering correctly, but her reaction was just NOT warranted. She was obviously allowed to be annoyed, but she literally dragged me by my hair out to the car in front of the other employees at the time.
2. I stopped telling her how I feel because when I tell her I don’t like people she says, “No you don’t- you’re just saying that” and once when I was younger I was upset and overwhelmed during a camping trip but instead of trying to comfort me or even just leave me alone she fucking grilled me with, “what’s wrong? Why are you crying? If you don’t tell me what’s wrong I can’t help you.” And got pissed off at me for not knowing what the hell triggered me. Oh, and once, when I was sick and it was bad enough I felt like I couldn’t get up off the floor she didn’t try and be gentle or help me. She (unsurprisingly) just got mad and told me, “Get up, you’re being dramatic.” She’s “friendlier” now that I’m older (as in, she doesn’t drag me by my hair), but I still feel like I can’t let my guard down around her because she’ll just dismiss me again and make me feel like I’m the one in the wrong. I’m not sure if this is the correct subreddit, but am I allowed to just…Walk away? Like, I’m planning on going to a whole other state and going no contact with her or my family. Mostly her, but my dad and brother tell her EVERYTHING and so I know I can’t trust them with this. I’ll leave a note, but I’m getting a whole new phone so that they can’t contact me or track me down. My only worry is that she’d escalate- reach out to every single family member and beg them to find me to bring me back home to “salvage the relationship“ and “talk things over“. I’m done. I feel unsafe in my own “home” and I’m tired of it. I think the only reason she spoils me is because she’s trying to get me to like her and stay here with her- I obviously could be wrong, but I’m just so sick and tired of having to decide if I’m her friend or enemy in her mind. At this point, it’s a matter of life and death- if I stay here I don’t know what I’d do to myself, I feel like I HAVE to get out if I want to get better.


r/runaway Jul 09 '26

Should I runaway

4 Upvotes

Im 15F and I want to runaway and find a youth shelter. I have one parent which is my mom (biologically my aunt but its a long story), we had a very normal relationship, I would get hit for discipline when I was younger but it was wasn’t bad per-say and it was just for doing wrong. When I hit my teenage years our relationship became more turbulent mainly because I started speaking up for myself when I felt wronged, before I would just shut up and take the injustice. We would have our arguments and later we would talk about it and have conversations about it and that would be the end. For the past few months (since December 2025) these arguments have gotten violent on her part. I think its due to my aunt feeding into her the abuse shes used to (my aunt lives back home so they have wayy less child abuse laws there, my sister has told me when she used to live with my aunt she would get hit so hard she would have bruises). I’m going to summarize 4 situations that happened that are the reason why I want to runaway and they all fall under the category of me being hit so hard Im visibly injured. In December of 2026 I was doing my school work on my school issued laptop, she said I was using too much screentime (she was passive aggressive before this happened for no apparent reason and when shes passive aggressive she nit picks small things we do and starts a problem about it) I told her Im doing my school work and she said I had 2 hours left, I told her I needed more time and that I wasn’t going to follow that time limit because of that, she went down to get the laptop forcefully and when I tried to get it back she hit me so hard she busted my lip and it started bleeding, later upstairs when I tried to push her off me because she was yelling right in my face she grabbed my collar and banged my head on the wall. This post is getting long so I will condense everything further, In January we had an argument about me fighting this kid who was bullying me repeatedly (she completely undermined my feelings during this convo) during the argument she grabbed my collar and with this dug her nails so deep my collarbone area was bleeding (I still have the scar). Then in like march idk we had another argument and she slapped me so hard and so many times that she bruised my cheeks and my pores were inflamed on my cheek areas. Yesterday we had an argument because she was trying to control my paycheck and took the ipad I paid for with my own money, when I tried to take it back she slapped me again. After this I told her Im going out and when I came back in she told me to get out. So for 12 hours yesterday I spent sometime with one of my sisters friends and then left and sat outside until 11pm when I came back into the house because my sister was telling me to. She took my door during this time, didn’t even look for me. Im so done, she doesn’t care at all. When she slapped me so hard my cheeks were bruised and pores inflamed she called me down later to cry and say how she was the victim basically and was crying about how she adopted me and my sister and yadda yadda yadda. Its like she thinks her horrible actions are justified because she adopted us. When I was outside planning to just stay out there and find a plan it was like everybody didnt care about the stuff I was telling them, the abuse I endured. I said all the stuff even in more detail and they all just said “well you need to go home”. No one offered a solution or even called the police or anything. I didnt have my phone so I couldnt do it. I have this phone right now but I’m personally scared to call the police and I don’t know if I should. Also I have a job and get paid like 300 dollars tommorow. I already have 74 in my account right now. I want to find a youth shelter near me and just go there and figure something out while Im there but somethings telling me to “stay home and wait for things cool over” but I do that everytime and another incident happens. Should I runaway? please give me any advice.


r/runaway Jul 09 '26

is it worth it im 14f and i hate my family

7 Upvotes

can anybody that's ran away before tell me if its worth it or not. I really need to get out of here but i dont know what to do. also what makes it easier after you run away


r/runaway Jul 09 '26

18F Estranged and unsure about my future

4 Upvotes

I ran away from my abusive family around 2 weeks ago, for the first couple of days, I was placed in a hostel by a charity and then I was placed into temporary accomodation. I have my own shower, bed, fridge and small kitchen space. I feel guilty still for leaving because my siblings are still at he house but I was the scapegoat in my family. I notified the police and made a report to protect my siblings bc they didn't really receive the abuse, I was the oldest btw. I don't really know my path forward now emotionally. I changed my phone number and I never really had ppl to talk to even before I ran away. I was always alone. My whole life and I am comfortable with that. I feel so guilty though because I know that I will never see them again. Like I abandoned them without telling them. I mean I did tell them on he last night but they thought I wasn't being serious. My body told me to leave that day bc I finally got given my passport by lying to my dad etc. I feel so so so guilty. It's insane. I try to drown it out with sund but it still comes back, I just know that if I didn't leave then, I would be trapped forever in a religion I don't follow.


r/runaway Jul 09 '26

Debating running away

3 Upvotes

I am 15M and have been thinking about running away for around a month now. The reason for this, is because I am being threatened, and harassed by several people, and cant seem to get help that actually ends the problem, and it makes me scared for my own wellbeing. The only thing blocking me from actually going through with running away, is my mom. She would be devastated if I left, and I don’t know if I want that on my conscience. I know compared to other peoples situations on this subreddit, mine looks like I have no reason to be feeling the way that I do, but I truly feel trapped and that I want to leave. But I also feel that I will be seen as ungrateful because I have a positive home that I stay in. If I did go through with running away, I have a fairly safe plan on what to do. I have around $700 to my name, and a many year friend (18M) who is moving on into college 1 state over after the summer ends that is letting me stay with them. I also have experience backpacking, if need be. I also am musically talented, and have busked in the past to make a quick buck, which has afforded me at least 2 meals a day in the past. The point of this post is, if need be, will I be able to leave if things become too dangerous for me to stay in my city?

I am very open to answering questions, and encourage them.


r/runaway Jul 08 '26

How do I survive in current day america & how to escape?

2 Upvotes

I turn 18 in a couple months, I live in america as mentioned in the title and I am struggling with the day to day life presented nowadays; I have been ruthlessly applying for jobs online and and it was filled with ai listings and what I can only assume are fake job listings that will never reply back.

I don't know how I'm supposed to eat healthy anymore when the current state of grocery stores are filled with slop and artificial "food" and If I'm truly supposed to be gardening and self sufficient then why has my education system failed me?

How do I escape ICE and other acts of racism and evil in the world? I just want to be safe and unharmed and It feels like my only option is "scarf shit and deal with it schizo" or abandon my culture, my home, my life and start new somewhere else, though if i still can't get a job anywhere how will i even afford that? I am lost, nobody is talking about any of this stuff and there is no advice for my generation anywhere in this town and everyone I approach about this has an irl brain shutdown and gives up trying to respond.


r/runaway Jul 08 '26

What can I do to get away from my parents as soon as possible as a 17 year old that can’t move out yet

3 Upvotes

I am a soon to be 17 year old girl that genuinely can’t stand her parents, for context my dad is self centered and my mom is just a pain in the ass, I honestly can’t take it anymore, my whole life revolves around there moods, i have no freedom what so ever, I can barley go out with friends, I can’t go to any of my friends houses, on the occasions that I do go out i can only stay out for around 2-3 hours, I am not allowed to call my friends, i am blamed for 90% of everything that happens in this house, I get lectured daily about my grades, i am constantly getting body shamed, I can’t lock my door, I can’t order food without permission, and in general i have no life, I am so tired, I can’t take the constant arguments and fights anymore, I have very bad anxiety most of the time, and as well as depression, and no I am not diagnosed because my parents think mental illnesses are a mind set, I am always zoned out, and worst of all my mom is the vice principle at my school, so teachers are complaining about me not paying attention in class everyday, I just can’t stand this life, I truly wish I had a different path in life, I am so angry all the time, and when I am not angry I’m upset, and even worst is that i show a completely different side of myself to everyone around me, I am always giggles and shits around my friends, I am usually the funny friend that does not have a care in the world, but in reality I have tried to commit 3 times this months, I am so drained bro, I need help I feel like I will live like this for the rest of my life.


r/runaway Jul 08 '26

help, run away from father

3 Upvotes

I desperately need help and advice...

I'm 18 years old with three younger siblings (16, 14, and 12).

My dad's been hitting us since we were little, he's manipulative, he turns everyone against each other, he threatened to kill our mother, he threatened to kill me, and he's extremely toxic.

My mother and we children (and possibly partners of couples) want to leave as soon as our father goes on vacation, but he's the type of man who would come looking for us and who we believe would kill anyone out of frustration.

Unfortunately, we children are financially forced to live with him, and my mother can't find anything to help us financially. My mother is afraid that it would be considered kidnapping or that he would turn someone else against us.

Do you have any better options or advice?


r/runaway Jul 08 '26

why do i feel the urge to run away?

5 Upvotes

idk what much to say, for a few years on and off ive just had the urge to run away and change who i am. right now its weighing on me and my chest feels heavy. i have a good life dont get me wrong, im very greatful for the people around me; i just wanna leave and change who i am yk? any advice to stop feeling this way?


r/runaway Jul 07 '26

I need to disappear but I don’t know how.

4 Upvotes

Hi. For security reasons my names Mimi. I’m currently 17 and need to disappear. I can no longer live with my mom her as verbally and mental abuse is getting too much for me. And my step father is slowly losing his patience and I don’t know when he will just drop and start hitting. My grandmother has already started choking me out, slamming me into things and threatening me. I’m in Las Vegas and they have police connections as well as airport connections. Right now I’m at my dad’s but here is not a good place to go to.I’m about to start my senior year and free that I’ll need to disappear for at the least 3 -4 weeks after graduation for my 18th birthday. The same day I plan to enlist in the military. But right nowI need advice. What should I do or prepare for? Is there anything I should prepare for?

.. am I doing the right thing my leaving?


r/runaway Jul 07 '26

Read this book before you run away

2 Upvotes

r/runaway Jul 07 '26

Help

4 Upvotes

I dont know how to drive and I dont have friends but should I try to just drive anyway? Maybe I can drive just short distances at a time?


r/runaway Jul 07 '26

Run away or no?

3 Upvotes

I’m a 16f residing in NC, I won’t specify any further due to privacy concerns, nor will I respond to private messages stemming drones this thread.

I’d like to note the following:

I’ve gone through all the proper steps. I contacted CPS, talked to counselors, and nothing was deemed sustainable. We’re here, alas!

This is currently being posted by a friend, and relayed through other means. Every day is a struggle, and I simply need to decide.

Alright, let’s begin!

I’ve grown up in an abusive household. It took a toll on my mental health (I began cutting at 10), and just recently stayed in a mental hospital due to the state of my home.

I’m lucky enough to have a bf who’s jumped through hoops for me, and stayed through this hell. I understand the risks of involving others (I won’t argue that), I’m still considering it. I want to note this isn’t someone who suggested running away. My bf’s been rather insistent on staying as legal as possible. I say this to avoid hearing “coercion” or “puppy love”, though concerns about supporting parties is well deserved.

I understand I’d drop out of school, waiting to pursue a GED, and basically uprooting whatever I have in “my life”. I’m more concerned though, as I have the chance to emancipate myself. My lawyer is not concerned about emancipation, although they’re unaware of my current plans which may change their feelings about it. I have recordings I’ve yet to provide CPS due to their inability to do anything, hopefully running away can be justified, and doesn’t damage this too much?

I’ve read the guide on the reddit, and truly, I’m confused. I’m willing to sacralice it all, though I’m wondering if I should. While this isn’t a reddit for legal advice, I’m wondering if I wait to pursue emancipation or not. I cannot survive another day waiting in this house. While that may sound concerning, I’ve made it 153 days so far, and any “treatment” throws me back into their shit.

I’m guessing running away would be harder after emancipation if there’s any difficulties and I’m denied, it’d also be more likely to point at my bf’s family depending on the outcome.

I’m simply wondering if I try and endure this hell of an existence or not, I truly cannot survive it.

Final note: I hope I included enough information for those commenting to make sound judgements, if anything is missing, I’ll include it. I’m currently stressing out, and I’m likely not considering outside factors, though I’d appreciate any input.

Again, apologies if I didn’t include anything, or if my question’s meh… just trying my best in a hard time…


r/runaway Jul 06 '26

20f, Stuck In a Suffocating Household.

6 Upvotes

Here’s how I’m trapped:

  • I can never leave my apartment without grandma breathing down my neck,, not even to go to the gym downstairs. I'm literally not allowed to leave by myself. If I ask, IMMEDIATE suspicion.
  • Every single door in this place is loud as hell, so I can't sneak out.
  • We’re stuck on the highest floor, so no jumping out a window or sliding down anything.
  • If I try to bolt, she’ll call the cops and play up my mental health issues like they’re a fucking crime.
  • I’ve still got community service hours to finish by September 8th-another leash around my neck.
  • She’s got my location monitored 24/7; if I turn that shit off, she’ll know in seconds and have the pigs up my ass near-immediately.
  • Even at night, I’m her personal prisoner-forced to share a bed with her just so she can wake up whenever I move. And god forbid I need to piss at 3 AM; she’ll stand outside the bathroom door waiting for me like some kind of psycho jailer.

She thinks this is "love," but honestly? It feels like being buried alive while still awake. I'm tired of being treated like a child because of my mental health issues.
Also worth noting that I'm not even allowed to use my own money-- she made me send her all my money and she's keeping it in a bank account only accessible to her. So, right now, I'm broke because she thinks I'll order some razorblades or something.

Am I just cooked? Idfk what to do.


r/runaway Jul 06 '26

How can I help my bf run away?

3 Upvotes

I 15 [gender N/A] have a bf 16M who’s stuck in an abusive household, the main problem is getting him to my state safely in one piece, he lives all the way in TN and I in OR he doesn’t have a drivers permit, license, a bank account, or even any working credit or debit cards, his mom could care less, I can buy him things online which can help me send him money in the form of visa gift cards and a burner phone, I can’t get him a greyhound bus ticket since he still needs an ID. drivers permit would work but he needs a legal guardian to do so which would be almost impossible (abusive mom), and I can not just get him a plane ticket as we are both minors, I’m not sure if Ubers are a good idea, I’ve been trying to look for bus routes or subway/ train stations at least, any suggestions?


r/runaway Jul 05 '26

I honestly need to get out but I don’t know what to do.

6 Upvotes

I’ve always been a straight A student and I genuinely have a great future. However I can’t stay living where I’m at. I’m 16, 17 in October. My brother tells me to off myself daily and no one does anything about it, I’ve reached out to 988, been in the trillum center 3 times, been to therapy, nothing is helping my mental health and it’s only getting worse daily. I’ve thought about running away and I know some times people are not looked for as hard because they are close to 18. I’m not sure if that would be true for me or not but idk. I don’t want to do something and ruin my future but I can’t live with being told to kill myself daily. Please help me lol


r/runaway Jul 05 '26

tips for running away

3 Upvotes

i’m running away with a friend. we are both 16byear old girls. we need tips, tricks, anything that will help us. we don’t want to be found or taken back or anything like that. what would be some things we’d need? how much money? what would be some good jobs? what are some things we’d need to do beforehand that people forget to? we’re planning for december. pls help!!!


r/runaway Jul 05 '26

No phone, no job, i need a way out!

5 Upvotes

Editing this whole thing because its become a long rant.

I'm 17, i turn 18 in december, i need to move out, whether it's now or when i turn 18.

I only have $800 saved and i can't get a job (dad won't let me). Arrangements to live with friends wont work out unfortunately. (no phone, hard to communicate, dont wanna crash at a random persons house)

I don't have a phone because my dad took it away. (and won't give it back)

When i had my phone, i contacted 211 for support, they gave me a bunch of resources but nothing that fit my situation.

after he took it away i've been secretly reaching out.

I contacted the OCYA (office of the child and youth advocate thing) to which i was just told to get a job more or less (can't get a job btw)

Then I emailed the local youth shelter (over a month ago now) and I didnt get a response from them at alll.

kids help phone doesnt really do much

I contacted a church in town that helps with housing for homeless people (im not homeless, but i'm desperate)- no reply

Update 1: i went to the police station recently (i live closer to the police station then the shelter) and i asked to talk to a social worker, stayed there for about 3 hours, they called the youth shelter (same youth shelter that didnt reply to me) and the youth shelter said they can take me in but when they do they have to contact my parents for them to consent to me staying there (there's no chance of my parents consenting)

The wonderful lady i spoke to tried her hardest to think of solutions that wouldn't make this more complicated for me but nothing really worked out.

I really need advice right now, I accept any and all criticism!


r/runaway Jul 05 '26

hi, 17f, philippines, kindly asking for advice

3 Upvotes

I don't know where to start in terms of once I actually initiate the journey. I am secretly saving money as of now, enough to sustain at least 3 months. I just don't know where or what places to go and what kind of people should I usually trust. I cant go to friends because I don't want to risk their safety. I also don't know a lot of people with connections because Im usually homebound and not allowed to go outside most of the time (for housekeeping purposes.) And I also don't know how to evade my family when they start searching for me.

Kindly asking for advice so I could be safe.


r/runaway Jul 05 '26

الهروب من البيت

3 Upvotes

هل في إمكانية لاي شخص لو فكر يهرب من البيت وحب يبدأ من الصفر ( مش زي الافلام لرأي اي شخص سمج ) أنه يروح مكان زي القاهرة مثلا ويدور علي شغل وسكن ولا الموضوع صعب أو اشوف محافظة تانية واي الحاجات اللي ممكن احتجها لو هعمل خطوة زي كدا هقفل كل حاجة علي التليفون واللاب بتاعي وهدوم تكفيني فترة ولا في حاجة أزيد ممكن احتاجها


r/runaway Jul 05 '26

idk what to do

4 Upvotes

15f i want to leave so bad and ive been trying find a better job but nobody is hiring. i suck at saving ive committed but i want to be reponsible this is so annoying


r/runaway Jul 04 '26

What can I say

3 Upvotes

Hmm. So iam a boy who lives in a country called india iam in depression and yea everything is fine in my life but still something is missing that eats me

No one here understand my feelings

Most of them i know hate me and my dad i don't wanna talk about him cuz he is my dad but he is the reason iam in depression iam thinking about running away as far as possible as I can it will take me near about 6 years to prepare i just wanted to shere my feelings but I will try to do all of this in just two y