According to loveisrespect.org: Relationships that are not healthy are based on power and control, not equality and respect.
In the early stages of an abusive relationship, you may not think the unhealthy behaviors are a big deal. However, possessiveness, insults, jealous accusations, yelling, humiliation, pulling hair, pushing or other negative, abusive behaviors, are — at their root — exertions of power and control.
Abuse can happen to anyone, but it’s your choice to stay or go, and you deserve to be respected. There is no excuse for abuse of any kind.
If you think your relationship is unhealthy, it’s important to think about your safety now. Consider these points as you move forward:
Physical abuse is any intentional and unwanted contact with you or something close to your body. Sometimes abusive behavior does not cause pain or even leave a bruise, but it’s still unhealthy. Examples of physical abuse are:
Start by learning that you are not alone. More than one in 10 high school students have already experienced some form of physical aggression from a dating partner, and many of these teens did not know what to do when it happened. If you are in a similar situation:
Emotional/verbal abuse includes non-physical behaviors such as yelling, threats, insults, constant monitoring or “checking in,” excessive texting, humiliation, intimidation, isolation or stalking.
Sexual abuse refers to any action that pressures or coerces someone to do something sexually they don’t want to do. It is important to know that just because the victim “didn’t say no,” doesn’t mean that they meant “yes.” Some think that if the victim didn’t resist, that it doesn’t count as abuse. That’s not true. It’s still is!
Stalking is when a person repeatedly watches, follows or harasses you, making you feel afraid or unsafe. A stalker can be someone you know, a past boyfriend or girlfriend or a stranger.
Digital dating abuse is the use of technologies such as texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behavior is a form of verbal or emotional abuse perpetrated online. It is never ok for someone to do or say anything that makes you feel bad, lowers your self-esteem or manipulates you!
Financial abuse can happen in ways that seem very small — telling you what you can and cannot buy or requiring you to share control of your bank accounts. At no point does someone you are dating have the right to use money or how you spend it to control you!
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