[VA] My mom put me in a choke hold.

If it was a gift, it's your property.

The thing is, a parent has the right to make decisions about children in their care, that the children might not like. Your mother can take away your laptop and forbid you to use it.

Your mother can discipline you, including with physical punishment. She can prevent you leaving the house.

There are limits on how far she can take the physical part of this -- what you describe as choking would, from that description, sound like child abuse. HOWEVER, your mother would probably hypothetically tell a case worker or a judge something very different.

From the sound of things, either of you could be arrested for domestic violence.

And your mother definitely can report you being sexually abused. In fact, your therapist might be required by law to report it.

Bearing in mind that most teenagers at some point or another think their parents are abusive and horrible people, and that you're still angry after this exchange.

But if you believe you are a victim of abuse from your mother, you can call child protective services. Bear in mind that this is a call you cannot un-make, and CPS involvement in your lives may change everything and not all of it will make you happier or make things better between you and your mother.

/r/legaladvice Thread