If you snuck out, knowing you're breaking the law and will be punished for doing so, that's one more very large barrier preventing you from seeking help.

To get back to what I was saying in my previous post, I had some... unpleasant situations when I was 14. (and many other ages)

But my family trusted me, and I knew that even if they weren't going to be very happy, if I needed to call and get help I wasn't going to face any meaningful consequences for doing so. In fact I was much more likely to face those consequences if I didn't reach out.

So there are a few times I called and got an uncomfortable ride and a few lectures. But I was safe, and I learned how to better take care of myself.

Curfews make kids feel like they have fewer options when things already aren't going well. The curfews certainly aren't in place to keep them safer.