Healthy Relationships

When working with women who have experienced abuse, we often have to look at what an unhealthy or abusive relationship is first.   If you have been reading through page by page, you will see that we have defined Types of Abuse HERE 

Abuse is about Power and Control.  It is never about love and respect.  

Healthy Relationships are centered around respect and equality.  They are about both people in the relationship and providing both partners the opportunity to both speak and listen.  If something doesn't feel right you should always feel like you have the right to say something.

Some characteristics of a healthy relationship include:

• respect
• healthy boundaries
• common interests
• trust
• honesty
• safety
• communication
• empathy
• support
• independence (able to take of yourself)
• kindness
• celebrate one another's accomplishments
• encouragement
• negotiation
• fairness
• accountablilty

Relationships can often start off great and it is difficult to see the things that may not be healthy. Some abusive behaviors start gradually and make you question your own judgment.  Always trust your instincts.  If you aren't sure if you're in an abusive relationship, have a look at the checklist HERE

Building blocks for a Healthy Relationship.