AboutDaryl Taylor, BSc(Hons) Psychology Expertise As a former youth worker, working in the UK and as a Camp Counsellor in the US, I have volunteered and helped young people from all over the world. I have worked for two or three websites like this in the past since I was about 13/14 and I continue to do so now at the age of 23. I can answer problems on a whole range of issues from friends and family, to drugs, sex, alcohol and relationships etc.
Experience I have worked as a youth worker for local organisations, volunteered on this and other websites giving out information for about 8 years, volunteered at my college and university doing face to face counselling and I have recently worked for an organisation in the UK which specialises in helping young people aged 13-19 to make positive decisions in their lives. I have featured in a UK based magazine called Aim Higher as a case study to show triumpth through adversity and I have recieved an Adult Learner's Award for my pioneering work at college.
Question well, my question is what can my father do if i leave home? for years now my father and i have not had a good relationship, and i cant handle living in his house anymore. i feel threatened, in more ways then one. i have heard that after you are 17 theres nothing he can do if i leave, but i have also heard that i can do the same now, at 16. im trying to be cautious about this because i know he will call it "running away" and put me on probation. hes done it before the first time i left my "home". again, all im asking is if there are any legal consequences of me, being 16 years old, if i moved out now.
Answer Hey Jessica,
I am sorry to hear that things are so difficult at home with your father that you feel like you cannot stay and as easy an option as it may be, running away will not always be in your best interest as there are consequences to doing so that may only make things worse.
Depending on where you are in the World the law varies slightly and I do not pretend to know everything about everywhere, but my understanding is: As of the age of sixteen your parents do maintain 'parental responsibility' over you, which means they do have overall say in most aspects of what happens to you and are responsible if things go wrong as they are deemed to have been responsible for your behaviour. However, if you can prove that at 16, you are mature enough to understand your own actions and are adult enough to be able to support yourself realistically and safely, then you become responsible for your own actions and your parent's responsibilities towards you become less powerfull.
What this means is, that if you do move out without permission, your father can ask the Police to intervene and bring you back home because it is deemed the best place to be for your health and safety. Unless you can prove that you have some reason for not wanting to go back, for example if you are at danger of physical or psychological abuse, then the welfare department get involved and move you somewhere if this is found to be the case. If they get involved, it could be likely that at 16, you get moved to a temporary house with other people your age and unlikely that you would be given a place of your own. Alternatively, if the Police did get involved but you could prove you have the financial means to support yourself in the future (for example, have enough money to pay the rent) or if you can prove you have somewhere else to stay that is safe and good for you...it is unlikely that they would take any major action.
As you can see, the law varies incredibly on this from the very black and white to a shady grey in places and it is difficult to know where you stand because each case is judged invidiually. The only way to ensure you remain within the law is to get the advice from either a welfare service (Social Services etc) or to talk to the local Police about your rights as a young person. They are the best people suited to be able to ensure you do get out if that is what you want and you do so remaining within the law.
