Healthy Relationships
This spectrum recognizes that relationships can range from healthy, to unhealthy, to abusive, depending on how people communicate, treat one another, and use power and control.
Relationship Spectrum
This type of abuse involves using money, belongings, or access to financial resources to control a dating partner.
Financial Abuse
This communication style involves being overbearing, loud, controlling, or disrespectful when expressing your thoughts or needs.
What is aggressive communication?
House of Ruth primarily works to support people impacted by this type of violence and provides education focused on prevention and healthy relationships.
What is domestic violence?
This characteristic means being truthful with your partner, even when the truth may be uncomfortable or difficult to share.
Honesty
This is when someone uses their power to control another person. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or verbal
What is abuse
A person repeatedly tells their partner, “Nobody else will ever want you,” and “You’re lucky I’m with you.” What is the primary purpose of this behavior?
Manipulation/Emotional Abuse
Someone says, “I understand that you see it differently, but I don't agree. Here's how I feel about the situation.” They express themselves clearly while still listening to the other person's perspective. What communication style is this?
Assertive
This type of education focuses on helping people recognize warning signs, understand healthy relationships, and prevent abusive behavior before it occurs.
What is prevention education?
In a healthy relationship, both people have a voice in decisions, their needs matter, and neither person has more power simply because of their gender, age, or role. What characteristic is this?
Equality
Your partner constantly checks your phone, gets angry when you spend time with friends, demands to know where you are at all times, and says they do it because they “love you.” These behaviors are examples of what?
What are red flags/controlling behaviors
A teen ends a relationship, but their ex repeatedly shows up at their school, sends unwanted messages from new accounts after being blocked, and follows them home. What pattern of behavior does this describe?
Stalking
A friend asks you to do something you don't want to do. Instead of saying no, you agree because you're worried about disappointing them, even though it makes you uncomfortable. What communication style are you demonstrating?
What is passive communication?
When someone needs a safe place to stay because they are experiencing domestic violence, this service can provide temporary housing and safety away from an abusive situation.
Shelter
Your partner disagrees with you about something important. Instead of insulting you or dismissing your opinion, they listen and acknowledge that you have the right to feel differently. What characteristic is being demonstrated?
Respect/Communication
You tell a friend, “I don't want to talk about that right now. If you keep bringing it up, I'm going to leave the conversation.” What healthy relationship charecteristic are you demonstrating?
Boundaries
A person says, “I didn't mean to hurt you. You made me angry, so this is your fault.” What harmful pattern is demonstrated when someone blames their partner for their own abusive behavior?
What is victim-blaming or shifting responsibility?
During an argument, someone interrupts repeatedly, raises their voice, refuses to hear the other person's side, and says, “We're doing it my way. End of discussion.” What communication style is being demonstrated?
What is aggressive communication?
This service can help someone process the emotional impact of abuse, develop coping strategies, rebuild confidence, and work toward healing in a supportive environment.
Counseling/Therapy
Your partner asks if you're comfortable with physical affection. You say no, and they accept your answer without pressuring, guilt-tripping, or becoming angry. What characteristic is being demonstrated?
Consent
What are the 7 qualities in a healthy relationship
Communication, Consent, Honesty, Trust, Equality, Respect, Boundaries
A person repeatedly threatens to hurt their partner, then later apologizes and promises it will never happen again. After things calm down, the threats begin again. What pattern of abuse does this demonstrate?
What is the cycle of abuse?
Your friend says something that hurts your feelings. You respond, “I care about our friendship, but what you said hurt me. I want to talk about it so we can understand each other.” What communication style is being demonstrated, and what makes it different from being aggressive?
Assertive
This service helps a survivor receive assistance understanding their legal options, navigating the court system, or seeking protections
Legal Support
You tell your partner, “I need some time alone tonight.” They may not fully understand why, but they accept your request and give you the space you asked for. What healthy relationship characteristic is being demonstrated?
Boundaries