A healthy relationship is free from any type of violence and consists of qualities such as respect, understanding, good communication, and honesty.
An unhealthy relationship has an unbalance of power and control over another through threats, emotional/verbal violence, physical and/or sexual violence.
Healthy Relationships
Equality – Partners share decisions and responsibilities a fair and equal. Partners are able to compromise and problem-solve fairly by fighting fair.
Honesty – Partners share their dreams, fears, and concerns with each other. They are open with their feelings and thoughts with each other.
Physical Safety – Partners feel physically safe in the relationship and respect each other’s physical space.
Respect – Partners treat other the way they want to be treated and listen to each other and acknowledge each other’s friends, opinions, thoughts, feelings and interests. Partners respect each other’s boundaries.
Comfort – Partners feel safe with each other and respect each other’s differences. They can be themselves with each other.
Sexual Respectfulness – Partners respect each other’s sexual preferences.
Independence – Both partners are independent from each other and maintain friendships outside of the relationship. Either has the right to end the relationship.
Humour – Both partners enjoy each other’s company and are able to laugh and have fun together.
Trust – Partners trust each other in all areas of their relationship.
Unhealthy Relationships
Control – The abuser makes all the decisions and tells the other what to do, what to wear or who to spend her time with.
Dishonesty – The abuser lies to or keeps information, thoughts and/or feelings from the other. Partners do not have open communication.
Physical Abuse – The abuser uses force to get his way (hitting, slapping, shoving). She doesn’t have any personal space.
Disrespect – The abuser does not listen or acknowledge her opinions, interests, thoughts or feelings. She feels unheard and pressure to change to meet her partner’s standards.
Intimidation – The abuser tries to control every aspect of her life with threats of violence if she doesn’t comply. She may feel like she needs to justify everything she does, says and feels.
Sexual Abuse – The abuser pressures or forces her into sexual activity against her will or without her consent.
Dependence – The abuser forces her to become dependent by controlling outside relationships and by threatening violence if she chooses to end the relationship. She may feel trapped in the relationship.
Hostility – The abuser avoid conflict to prevent upsetting the other. Teasing is mean-spirited.
Distrust – The abuser does not trust her with decisions or anything outside of their relationship and may accuse her of being unfaithful or cheating.