Types of Abuse
What is abuse in a relationship?
Abuse is a pattern of behaviors used to gain power and control over a partner
Many songs and shows often say, "I can't live without you." Why is that message unhealthy?
It promotes dependency instead of independence in a relationship
What are boundaries?
Are limits that are set in place in order to keep you safe and respected.
What's the difference between a partner being protective and being possessive?
Protective = caring about safety; Possessive = controlling, jealous, and limiting freedom
If someone is jealous, it just means they love you more
Myth: jealousy is about insecurity and control, not love
Name one type of abuse besides physical.
Emotional, verbal, sexual, or digital abuse
Movies often show jealousy as proof of love, why is this message unhealthy?
It normalizes controlling behavior instead of respect and trust
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List 3 red flags that show a relationship might be unhealthy
Isolation from friends/family, insults/teasing, and controlling behavior
If a person doesn't say no, that means they gave consent
Myth: silence is not consent. Consent must be clear and voluntary
What is the difference between emotional abuse and verbal abuse?
Verbal abuse uses written or spoken words to hurt while emotional abuse manipulates feelings
In many TV shows a character keeps pursing someone after rejection until they finally give in. Why is this harmful?
It teaches that persistence is romantic when it can actually be harassment
What is the difference between a preference and a boundary?
Preference is something is you like or want.
Boundary is a line you set that is to be respected to feel safe.
How can digital abuse escalate into offline physical or emotional abuse?
Digital abuse normalizes control, making victims accept harmful behavior that can spill into real life
Someone can be abusive without ever laying a hand on their partner
Fact: emotional, verbal, and digital abuse are just as real as physical abuse
Why can non-physical abuse be just as harmful as physical abuse?
It damages mental health, self-esteem, independence, and can escalate into physical harm
How can media normalize abuse without showing any violence at all?
By romanticizing behaviors like jealously, stalking, or emotional manipulation
Name the 3 types of boundaries?
Mental
Emotional
Physical
Why might someone ignore or excuse warning signs in relationships?
Because of love, fear, denial, or hope the partner will change. This makes unhealthy behavior harder to recognize or leave
If abuse happens once and never again, it wasn't really abuse
Myth: even a single act of abuse is serious, and one incident can have long-lasting effects
How can abuse continue even after a relationship has ended?
Through stalking, harassment, or threats. This keeps the victim fearful, controlled, or emotionally attached and unable to move on
How does media showing controlling or obsessive behaviors affect teens?
It makes red flags harder to recognize and normalizes toxic behavior
Why is ongoing consent important in a long term relationship?
Comfort levels can be changed and must always be asked for and freely given.
How can a partner's, "If you really loved me..." manipulation affect your long-term decisions?
It undermines your judgement and makes you prioritize their desires over your own
1 in __ high school students experienced physical dating violence?
1 in 12