Q: What can I do if I'm kicked out by abusive parents and lack police support?
I am 17 years old, and my parents have kicked me out of the house for nearly two weeks. I've reached out to DHS and others for help, but received little assistance. I have been physically abused by my mother and have recordings, photos, and written documentation of the incidents. Despite being a mandatory reporter as a lawyer, my father has not reported the abuse. Recently, my mother gave me some clothes, but I am worried about the stability if I return, especially since the police did not take my past report of physical abuse seriously. What should I do in this situation to ensure my safety and address the abuse?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
I'm really sorry you're going through this—it sounds like an incredibly difficult and unsafe situation. First and foremost, your safety is the most important thing. If you're still out of the house, **do not return** if you fear for your safety or well-being. If you haven't already, **contact a local shelter** or a safe place for youth in crisis. Many shelters can provide immediate safety, food, and resources.
You’ve taken a critical step by documenting the abuse with photos, recordings, and written records. **Make sure to share this documentation** with people who can help, like a counselor, trusted adult, or advocacy group for abused children. You also have the right to file a **report with Child Protective Services (CPS)** in your area, especially since your safety and well-being are being threatened. While DHS might not have been helpful so far, you can keep pressing them to ensure your concerns are addressed.
If the police haven't taken your previous reports seriously, **contact a child advocacy group** or legal aid service that can provide support and potentially intervene on your behalf. It’s important that your voice is heard, and there are people who will stand up for you, even if others have failed to do so. Your safety and future matter, and there are resources and options for you, even in these challenging circumstances.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
