Someone else wants me to run away

Sometimes you might feel pressure from someone else who wants you to run away, or leave where you live, without telling anyone where you’re going. This may be a friend who’s trying to get away from something and wants your support, or someone who’s promising you a better alternative to being at home. This can put you in a tricky position where you eventually feel you have to leave for one reason or another.

If someone is offering you an alternative that seems better than being at home, it might be tempting to find out more. Sometimes people offer places to stay, jobs, a fresh start, new opportunities, or other things if you do agree to go with them, but this can be particularly dangerous and often means they will expect something in return. If they’re encouraging you to run away it’s worth considering what their motive is – what’s in it for them?

If someone wants you to run away, you can try to talk to them about why they want you to run away and whether it’s a safe option. If they get angry or upset that you are questioning them, or threaten to take away the option when you try to find out more, this may be a warning sign and it’s probably not a good idea to go with them. If they say they care for you and want what’s best for you, they should respect your decision if you decide you don’t want to go.

Sometimes these situations feel outside of our control and eventually you do decide to leave. With this there’s a risk that you might not get what you were promised, or there might be expectations placed on you that you never agreed to. In the worst case, you may find yourself in a difficult or dangerous position where it’s hard to get help. If you’re in immediate danger you should always call 999.

If you’re unsure about what to do or need someone to speak to, Runaway Helpline are here to talk, for free on 116000. You can call or text and we will listen and not judge. We want to help you be as safe as possible and can support you in your situation.