Homepage > Relationships > Unhealthy Relationships
- Healthy relationships
- Respect
- What is an unhealthy relationship?
- What to do if you're in an unhealthy relationship?
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As a teen, you will have relationships with a lot of people. In healthy relationships, you and your friend or the person you are dating feel good about each other and yourselves. You do activities together, like going to movies or out with other friends, and you talk to one another honestly about how you feel.
In healthy relationships, there is respect and honesty between both people. This means that you listen to each other's thoughts and opinions and accept each other’s right to say no or to change your mind; without giving each other a hard time. You should be able to let the other person know how you are feeling. You might disagree or argue sometimes, but in healthy relationships you should be able to talk things through to reach a solution.
What is an unhealthy relationship?
An unhealthy relationship can be judged by a number of different factors that contribute to an adverse effect on your lifestyle or behaviour. In some, but not all cases, an unhealthy relationship could include a form of abuse (sexual, physical, verbal or emotional) and it could be that your partner:
- gets angry when you talk or hang out with other friends or people of the opposite sex
- bosses you around
- often gets in fights with other people or loses their temper
- pressures you to have sex or to do something sexual that you don't want to do
- uses drugs and alcohol, and tries to pressure you into doing the same thing
- swears at you or uses mean language
- blames you for their problems, or tells you that it is your fault that they have hurt you
- insults or tries to embarrass you in front of other people
- has physically hurt you (violence or rape in the relationship)
- makes you feel scared of their reactions to things
- always wants to know where you are going and who you are with
What to do if you’re in an unhealthy relationship?
If you are affected by any of the above you should speak to someone you trust or a trusted adult such as a parent/guardian, teacher, doctor, nurse, or a Connexions personal adviser. You can speak confidentially to an adviser at your nearest Connexions Centre/One Stop Shop or in your school or college.
Connexions Direct: 080 800 13 2 19
Childline: 0800 1111
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
In an emergency dial 999
BBC - Relationships
Relationships advice and information.
BBC - The Surgery
This site has a check-list you can fill in to see whether you're in an unhealth relationship.
Survivors UK
Survivors UK have a helpline, support groups and counselling for men who have been sexually abused.
Women's Aid
Campaign to end violence against women and children. They also run a National Domestic Violence Helpline. Providing advice, information, support and referrals to local refuges, emergency and temporary accommodation.
Essex Safeguarding Children Board
Brings together agencies who work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in Essex.
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