When ur 18 y/o & still in school can CPS be alerted about abuse?

Question

i just turned 18 and CPS has been in and out of my childhood. i wanted to know that since i'm still in school (a senior) and i still live with my parents, can they still be alerted if i speak about the present abuse?

Answer 1

yes and do it immediiatly!  

Answer 2

I'm not a lawyer, but my  guess is, since you are now 18,  Child Protective Services may not get involved since at 18, you are in the eyes of the law, an adult.  In West Virginia and Virginia, the only two states I'm familiar with, it does not matter if you are in high school or not or if you live with your parents or not,  once you are 18 years of age, you're an adult with most of the rights and privileges thereto with the exceptions of buying alcohol or a handgun(21 for those).

With that said,  CPS may not be able to help you, but they might point you in the direction of who can since you are 18: the magistrate's office or similar and/or local law enforcement(eg: the police department or sheriff's office). There, you can file charges against the parents yourself and/or swear out a warrant for arrest if you so choose and the magistrate or similar or the police/sheriff believes a crime has been committed.  

So, I don't think CPS can help you since you are a legal adult but there are ways you can help yourself. If they are abusive to you physically you can call the police yourself and in many states if they see signs of abuse,  they will take the abuser to jail and likely a temporary protective order will be filed. You may or may not even have to file charges since in many states, if there is evidence of domestic abuse, the police can file them as representatives of the state.

Another option is simply move out. Again, you are 18 and therefore do not have to stay at your parents house if you don't want to nor can they force you to.   If you have other family or a friend you can stay with that's an option, if you have a scholarship or something as a means to college, another option, if you aren't opposed to military service for a time, another option, or if you simply have or can obtain the financial means and maturity to leave on your own.  If your safety is an issue with you leaving, call the police/sheriff and they will see that you leave safely with your belongings.

Again, not a lawyer but I have seen this happen with friends of mine, some simply moved out with friends or other family, went off to college or joined the military.  Others called local law enforcement and pressed charges, and some simply had or worked hard to obtain the means to move out on their own,  bought their own car in their own name, their own food, their own power, etc.  Only you can decide which course is appropriate.

Answer 3

Absolutely yes and especially if you are still living at home . You can also call the police and report it and they can check your records at CPS . You should not have to put up with such . You really do need to report it to one or both units and get the help you need .

Answer 4

CPS?

Answer 5

Most likely they can since you are still enrolled in school and you still live at home with your parents.  If you are being abused it is best you tell someone.  Don't sit back trying to protect your family or someone else.  Abuse is not acceptable and those who abuse should be taken care of.  Talk to someone, please.

Answer 6

CPS may actually cut you loose at 18, however, it is now a matter of assult, and you can press charges.  I wish you all the best, and stay with a friend to finish school if you can.