PART I: Why run away?

PART II: Why you shouldn’t run away

PART III: Alternatives to running away

PART IV: What to do if you run away

PART V: Resources

National Runaway Safeline:

Covenant House Hotline:

Childhelp National Child:

Trevor Lifeline:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Sometimes, we get questions on Squat the Planet from minors asking for advice about running away from home. Our general policy is to discourage minors from traveling, but this post serves to provide help and resources to any minors who are considering running away from home because of their rough situation. This is by no means the ultimate guide and we encourage readers to try out the resources that will be listed later on.There are a lot of reasons why you might want to run away from home. You may be experiencing abuse or neglect at home. You may be having problems at school, such as bullying. Maybe you’re just tired of everyday life and want an adventure.Let’s face it, being a teenager is hard. High school sucks. It’s understandable that you might want to get away from that. However, the next section will give reasons as to why that’s an unwise choice.The idea of traveling is very romantic, but the reality is much more difficult than you might realize. Traveling, especially the kind described on this site, is dangerous. Activities such as train hopping can certainly be deadly, but that isn’t the only thing to be worried about. People on the road can be just as harmful. There are a lot of nice people out there but there are also creeps who will take advantage of you. We won’t get into graphic details, but suffice to say that a homeless minor on their own could be an appealing target to some people.Having a hard time on the road is inevitable, especially for someone who is running away. According to The National Runaway Safeline, more than 70 percent of teen runaways interviewed “described their leaving home as occurring on the spur of the moment.” That means that you are most likely ill-prepared and are acting impulsive. Traveling requires a person to think clearly and adapt to the situation at hand. You might not have money, food, or even a sleeping bag. You probably won’t know where to go or how to get there. This will be a huge problem, because even getting food will become difficult. This may sound like a scare tactic, but the truth is, many kids turn to selling drugs or prostitution in order to survive. The National Runaway Safeline reports that 14% of youth on the street have traded sex for money, food, shelter, or drugs.Travelers in the USA tend to be a rough bunch and alcoholism and drug abuse are major issues that face the community. By running away, you will be exposing yourself to a world that you may not be able to handle, and in fact may even make your own physical, mental, or emotional state even worse.Travelers are at a higher risk of disease and infection due to limited ability to maintain proper hygiene. Scabies, staph/MRSA infections, body lice, and fungal infections are commonplace. Hepatitis C is also common for intravenous drug users.Let’s say that you aren’t having problems surviving on the road. The law is still not on your side. The chances that you’re going to get stopped by the cops at some point are high and they will probably run your name in the system. The American Bar Association reports that almost every state allows the police to take runaway youth into custody without a court order and without the youth’s permission. Five states (Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada, and South Carolina) explicitly allow police to hold runaway youth in detention facilities and many additional states also allow this practice although it is not written into their laws. Thirty-six states explicitly authorize police to return runaway youth directly to their homes without considering the youth’s wishes. Basically, if you’re stopped by the cops and they suspect that you’re a minor, you’re going to get in some trouble.Furthermore, anyone who helps you could potentially get into legal trouble. The people who give you shelter or transportation may be considered to be “harboring” a runaway and could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. By running away, you are causing trouble for not only yourself, but others around you.If you can continue staying where you are, you should. That being said, you shouldn’t have to tolerate abuse. If you absolutely have to leave home immediately, try to stay with a friend or a close family member for a night or two while you figure things out. However, do not forget the information above on harboring minors, because your parents/guardians could try to get the person you’re staying with in trouble. Seek help from one of the resources listed below specific to the issue you’re dealing with. Try to find an adult who you can trust to confide in, such as a teacher, counselor, neighbor, or friend. Having someone to just talk to can help you immensely mentally and they will be able support you in other ways as well.We really hope this has persuaded you not to run away, but should you choose to ignore this advice, there are resources to help you. Many cities have shelters specifically for homeless youth that will provide you with a meal and a bed for the night. Use Squat the Planet as a resource for finding information about the city you’re in as well as for general information on how to survive on the road.It is important to note that you should also be ready to protect yourself in unexpected situations when encountering strangers. It may never happen to you, but if someone tries to hurt you while on the road, it is always good to carry something like pepper spray on you at all times. Whenever possible, avoid confrontations that can lead to trouble. Always be situationally aware and think ahead for possible outcomes so that you may assess your next move.If you’re considering running away from home or have run away, this number will put you in touch with people who can talk to you confidentially about your home situation, safety on the road, returning home, or any other concerns you may have about running away. If you are a runaway already, they can help you stay in touch with your parents/guardians without you having to contact them directly.Covenant House runs this 24/7 crisis line available for youth, teens, and families. Operators provide counseling and local resources throughout the U.S. regarding drugs, abuse, homelessness, runaway children, and message relays.If you are suffering physical or emotional abuse at home, this hotline will allow you to speak to a qualified counselor who can provide support and encouragement and connect you to local resources.If you are an LGBTQ youth in crisis, struggling with problems at home regarding your sexual orientation, the Trevor Lifeline provides a 24/7 hotline you can call if you need support and someone to confide in.If you feel you are in a crisis, whether or not you are thinking about killing yourself, please call the Lifeline. Whether it’s substance abuse, economic worries, relationship and family problems, sexual orientation, illness, abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, or even loneliness, this number will connect you to a trained counselor at a crisis center near you.Runaways and Vagabonds is a discord community and support server for houseless travelers that functions as a harm reduction resource for runaway or otherwise troubled youth. As a beacon for youth rights, happiness and freedom most of all, they will gladly support you and encourage you on whichever journey your life takes you through.A subreddit that serves as a youth rights resource and hub for young people who are thinking of running away or are currently runaways.Our site is a very supportive community. Our staff as well as fellow users are willing to answer questions and help guide you in the right direction. Should you feel the need to speak with someone privately, you may directly message any of the staff members for counseling/advice. The link above provides the list of StP staff members.