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Teenage Relationships

If you are in a relationship with someone, you should feel loved, safe, respected and free to be yourself. There are different forms of abuse, but if your relationship leaves you feeling scared, intimidated or controlled then you are in an abusive relationship. Abuse is not normal and never ok.

Many teenagers experience warm, respectful, caring and fulfilling relationships with each other. Sadly, some children need safeguarding since the relationships they are involved in are abusive in some way, or they are being exploited by the other person.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender or sexuality and of any age (including teenagers) and take many forms, but remember you don’t have to be hit to be abused

Emotional, psychological and financial control are also very serious forms of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse often escalates over time – what starts as verbal and emotional abuse can turn into physical violence.
 

Consent
The legal age in England to have sex is 16 years old. Consent is really about respect for people. It's about agreeing, giving permission or saying yes to sex. People must always feel they are able to say 'yes',' no' or 'stop' and be listened to in their relationships.

The 'Cup Of Tea' clip explores consent in an engaging way.  A transcript of the video can be found here.

Am I being abused?

  • Is your partner very jealous and possessive of you?
  • Does your partner get angry when you want to spend time with your friends or demands that you spend all your time with them?
  • Does your partner check your phone, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter?
  • Does your partner try to get you to defriend people on Facebook, take down your photos or stop you messaging your friends?
  • Are they always calling, texting or messaging you to check where you are and who you are with?
  • Do they tell you what to wear or how to do your hair?
  • Does your partner laugh at you or put you down in front of other people
  • Does your partner get aggressive? Do they hit, shove, slap or kick you?
  • Does your partner threaten to harm you – or themselves if you try to leave them?
  • Does your partner call you names?
  • Does your partner pressure you to have sex when you don’t want to (without consent), telling you that “everyone else is doing it” or that you would do it “if you really loved them”
  • Does your partner pressure you to send sexual texts and images of yourself
  • Does your partner share any sexual texts and images of you with their friends

If you can answer yes to any of the above, then you are being abuse d. If you are frightened of your partner, or feel that you have to change your behaviour because you are scared of their reaction, you are being abused.

Find further information about healthly and unhealthy relationships, signs of an unhealthy relationship and what to do if your partner makes you feel scared or unsafe, visit the Childline website.

If you're having a difficult time:

If you or a friend are in immediate danger call the Police on  999

Call 0800 11 11

Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.

Young Minds have loads of practical tips and advice from young people just like you, as well as information on getting the support you need if you’re struggling with your feelings

 

Call 116 123 (free) or email jo@samaritans.org

They provide a safe place to talk anytime about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. 
 

Find find a Rape Crisis centre, or get self-help tools and resources

A space to help young people recognise unhealthy and abusive traits in their relationships. Full of information to promote healthy teen relationships and get help if needed.

Whether it's relationship abuse, sexting, consent, issues on social media or forced marriage, they have all the facts, support and guidance to help you make the right decisions and stay safe. 

Understand what a healthy relationship is. re-think your views of controlling behaviour, violence, abuse, sexual abuse and what consent means within your relationship