Sexual and Relationship Violence Awareness and Response

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP HEALTHY?

Characteristics of a healthy relationship

Open and respectful communication in which each partner shares thoughts and ideas, listens to the other and disagrees respectfully

Trust on both parts of the relationship. Trusting one another includes each being accountable to the other, dependable and supportive.

Connections with other people and interests outside of the relationship. Both individuals in the relationship have social support networks (friends and family) who are in contact with them and who they feel they can rely on.

Boundaries and balance within the relationship. Most aspects of the relationship are taken in moderation. Compromise is important to both individuals. Individual values are respected.

Equality. Each partner has equal decision-making power within the relationship. Individuals are not forced into stereotypical gender roles.

Support and Safety. Healthy individual goals and wishes are supported and encouraged. Each person is peaceful in their approach with the other.

Characteristics of an Unhealthy Relationship

Emotional abuse and derogatory language. Individuals who are constantly putting their partner down, making fun of them in public and objectifying them are guilty of emotional abuse in a relationship. If you feel bad about yourself when you are with your partner, you may be experiencing emotional abuse.

Extreme jealousy and control. Constant calling and “checking up” on you is not characteristic of a healthy relationship. If our partner gets angry when you spend time with other people, their jealousy is out of control.

Coercion. Manipulation to control your beliefs, ideas and will is unacceptable in a relationship. Any time you are forced to do something against your will is cause for concern.

Isolation. If your partner doesn’t “allow” or want you to spend time with others, makes you “pay” for spending time with friends or family, asks you to give up outside interests or makes all the decisions in the relationship, they are guilty of isolating you. This is not acceptable.

Any physical or sexual abuse. Pushing, grabbing or hitting is NEVER acceptable in a relationship. Throwing things, threatening you, punching or hitting things NEAR you is certainly a red flag in a relationship. If your partner forces you into sexual experiences you are not ready for or do not want, they are guilty of sexually abusive behavior. This is NEVER acceptable.


º Definitions º What is Consent? º Medical Attention º What Men Can Do º How to Help Your Partner º Date Rape Drugs/ Drug Facilitated Sexual Violence º Campus Judicial Resources º Definitions/Marginalized Communities º Is your relationship healthy? º For partners, parents and friends º POWER AND CONTROL º Definitions HOME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ º Additional Resources CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resource Center Family Abuse Services of Alamance County North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence Guilford County Resources Campus Safety and Police Health Services Counseling Services	IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP HEALTHY? *Characteristics of a healthy relationship* *Open and respectful communication* in which each partner shares thoughts and ideas, listens to the other and disagrees respectfully *Trust on both parts of the relationship. Trusting one another includes each being accountable to the other, dependable and supportive. Connections with other people and interests outside of the relationship. Both individuals in the relationship have social support networks (friends and family) who are in contact with them and who they feel they can rely on. Boundaries and balance within the relationship. Most aspects of the relationship are taken in moderation. Compromise is important to both individuals. Individual values are respected. Equality. Each partner has equal decision-making power within the relationship. Individuals are not forced into stereotypical gender roles. Support and Safety. Healthy individual goals and wishes are supported and encouraged. Each person is peaceful in their approach with the other. Characteristics of an Unhealthy Relationship* *Emotional abuse and derogatory language. Individuals who are constantly putting their partner down, making fun of them in public and objectifying them are guilty of emotional abuse in a relationship. If you feel bad about yourself when you are with your partner, you may be experiencing emotional abuse. Extreme jealousy and control. Constant calling and “checking up” on you is not characteristic of a healthy relationship. If our partner gets angry when you spend time with other people, their jealousy is out of control. Coercion. Manipulation to control your beliefs, ideas and will is unacceptable in a relationship. Any time you are forced to do something against your will is cause for concern. Isolation. If your partner doesn’t “allow” or want you to spend time with others, makes you “pay” for spending time with friends or family, asks you to give up outside interests or makes all the decisions in the relationship, they are guilty of isolating you. This is not acceptable. Any* *physical or sexual abuse*. Pushing, grabbing or hitting is NEVER acceptable in a relationship. Throwing things, threatening you, punching or hitting things NEAR you is certainly a red flag in a relationship. If your partner forces you into sexual experiences you are not ready for or do not want, they are guilty of sexually abusive behavior. This is NEVER acceptable.