Children and young people

Relationships are really important to everyone, whether they are with family, friends, boyfriend or girlfriend. However, sometimes when you’re in a relationship you don’t necessarily see the signs that may mean you are in a situation that is more unhealthy than healthy.

Here are some signs to look out for to see if you are in a healthy or unhealthy/abusive relationship:

Healthy Relationship

• Respect
• Honesty
• Trust
• Communication
• Equality
• Separate identities

Unhealthy or Abusive Relationship

• verbal or emotional abuse, such as, name calling or threatening to spread rumours about you or someone else
• physical abuse
• sexual abuse, for example, a partner trying to pressure you or someone else into having sex
• controlling behaviour, for example, trying to control you by checking your phone
• no respect
• no honesty
• no trust
• no equality
• being isolated by your partner, such as, being stopped from spending time with friends or family

If you think you’re in an unhealthy or abusive relationship then remember it is not normal and is never OK. It can happen to anyone, adults and children, gay, straight and transsexual, women and men. Being in an unhealthy relationship can affect your self-confidence, mental and physical health.

If you recognise these signs in a relationship that you, a parent, friend or loved one is in, visit the GOV.UK website. More information and support is available at Childline.