I thought if I could try not to think about it, squash it out of my mind it could be like it wasn't really happening. But stupid little things would remind me, make me feel horrible inside. My friends drifted away, and I started going round with people who were in trouble. We would walk out of school after registration, go shop-lifting, get drunk and play chicken. Because for that moment, when I was taking a risk, I knew I wouldn't be thinking about home.
Some people feel that the only way to manage what is happening is to run away from home.
If this happens, they are in a lot of danger from people who will take advantage of them. It is easy to become involved in crime or prostitution. I sort of tried to before that, by dropping hints. They said they'd have to tell social services. I didn't want my family to break up and it be my fault.