Alex's Answer

Hi there, you are very welcome to Ask Alex.  

Thank you for contacting us. We understand that it’s not always easy to share how we’re feeling, but we also know how important it is to talk about our worries.  

You have mentioned that your parents keep threatening to hit you and suggest that you run away from home. We are concerned to hear that your parents are saying these things to you, as no one has the right to harm you or hurt you physically, mentally, or emotionally. Every child and young person has the right to be safe, to be cared for and to be treated with love and respect.  

Physical abuse involves a person using physical force against another person which causes or could cause them harm. It can be a single incident or something that keep happening, like you have stated. Some examples of physical abuse could be slapping, hitting, pinching, and kicking. Deliberately hurting someone in any way using physical force is physical abuse and this is not okay. Emotional abuse is the psychological ill-treatment of a child as part of the overall relationship between a parent and a child. It’s important to remember, however that once-off and occasional difficulties between a parent and child are not considered emotional abuse.  

You have the right to feel safe and happy in your home and your parents have no right to hurt you in any way. There are laws in place in Ireland that protect young people from harm so that means there are organisations and support services available to keep children and young people safe from harm.   

If you ever feel like you are in immediate danger, you should call emergency services any time by dialling 999 or 112. Those are freephone numbers that can be contacted no matter where you are if you are in danger.   

Talking to someone you trust about what has been going on at home might also be an option for you to consider.  You have the right to get help and support so maybe talking to someone you can confide in, a trusted adult such as a teacher, coach or school counsellor would be worth thinking about.

If you feel that you are not ready yet to talk to someone you know, you are very welcome to chat with the Childline Team by phone on 1800 66 66 66 or through Live Chat on www.childline.ie. Childline services are free and confidential, and are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.    

Thank you for reaching out to us, we hope to hear from you soon. 

Take care of yourself,     

Alex