New Hampshire is not the only state to not have an emancipation law, but that does not mean it is right. It puts youths in danger. Even just making it so they can stay in shelters without police intervention or having to call their parents (abusers). I know many teens who live in abusive households. One of which is my best friend. Her stepfather beats her mother on a whim and beats her younger siblings if they ever disobey. He leaves cuts and bruises. She ran away because she feared for her safety on a night when he was particularly violent and when her parents called the police, she was forced to go back where they have now cancelled her car insurance , took her car battery out of her van, quit her job for her, cancelled her phone service, took her phone, and her laptop, all of which she paid/pays for. She now has no form.of communication should her stepfather decide to beat her. He has not until this point because her father would press charges. Her father is not, however, fit to take her because of drug problems and an inability to support himself. Though her stepfather has not hit her, he has sexually harrassed her by commenting on her breast size, asking if she and a friend went skinny dipping, and coming into the bathroom while she showered repeatedly, and on one occasion he did this, he was upset with her and ripped the shower curtain off. She also has endured years of mental and emotional abuse leading to heightened anxiety and depression which in turn lead to self harm and suicidal thoughts. Her grades are suffering, and as finals approach with her laptop taken away, she is unable to complete them or any other school work. DCYF has been called but is slow to lead an investigation, and in many cases I know of they have proven unhelpful to other teens I know suffering from abuse. Despite thus, thet are currently the best chance she has. If New Hampshire had an emancipation law I and many others would sleep sounder knowing she would be safe in her own care. She has proven time and again she can take care of herself but is still forced to live in an abusive household because New Hampshire has no way to free her of it. Please help her and many others like her. This is very important to many New Hampshire teens and future teens.