Lisa’s Story

Lisa’s story – the impact of running away/going missing and being a vulnerable young carer

I had a lot of stuff I had to do at home. Mum’s useless because of her illness and I have to look after everyone else, even the baby, so sometimes I don’t go to school. It was pretty hard for me to keep up at school.

I was on my own with all these things I had to do and I was the last one to get any attention.

So when I found Dave online, it was really exciting. I meet him at my cousin’s 21st birthday party, we swopped telephone numbers and it seems fine. He called me lots, bought me presents, took me out. It was really nice to get a bit of attention and getting looked after for once. I thought I was in love.

Then he started to change. He got aggressive, and actually got to the point where he hit me, but I was hooked on him, couldn’t imagine my world without him, and he was always sorry. I was defending him to my mum and everyone else. That’s what you’re meant to do as part of a couple, isn’t it?

Then at a party he took me upstairs and made me do things that I didn’t want to do, but I was frightened he’d hit me again.

I kept getting grounded, so I started running away with Dave.

But now he’s around all the time and shouting at my mum, I guess that’s not right. I’m worried that my family’s in danger now too.

But who can I turn to to help?