Relationship abuse, or dating and domestic violence/abuse, is characterized by behaviors used by a person to gain and maintain power and control over their partner. Because relationships exist on a spectrum, it can be hard to tell when a behavior crosses the line from healthy to unhealthy or even abusive. Warning signs, or red flags, can indicate that a relationship is going in the wrong direction.
Abuse can take many forms, but it is important to remember that each type of abuse is serious and no one deserves to experience abuse in any kind.
Dating & Domestic Violence Articles
Good Boundaries Help Create Healthy Relationships
What are boundaries and why are they so important? Boundaries are lines that we draw that tell ourselves and others what we are okay and not okay with, in a relationship. Setting boundaries with your dating partner will help ensure that everyone is safe and encourage a healthy relationship. via GIPHY Boundaries [...]
Survivor Story – The Scars That Don’t Show
The following is the anonymous, personal story shared by a survivor of childhood emotional abuse and the response from one of HCWC’s Children’s Counselors. HCWC currently employs 8 professional counselors that specialize in working with children and teens across our programs. "Having a narcissistic parent can be very rough; especially when you don’t [...]
Prevent Sexual Violence – Start Talking to Youth About Media Literacy
Sexual Assault Awareness month is an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of preventing sexual violence. Conversations with youth about healthy relationships and consent are imperative to preventing sexual violence and need to happen well before they’re thinking about sex. Whether they find it on their own or are shown by a friend, [...]
Is it Teen Drama or Teen Trauma?
Teen Relationships in Media Adolescence is the time to get to know yourself in and out of a relationship, but if all you see on screen and in books is red flags, how are you supposed to know what’s healthy or unhealthy? There has been a trend of problematic behaviors being romanticized in shows for teens. [...]
Shining a Light on Emotional Manipulation
What Does Gaslighting Really Mean? The term gaslighting is currently used a lot, but many people do not really understand what it really means. In fact, Gaslighting was the Word of the Year according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Gaslighting is an abusive behavior that can be used to undermine a partner in a toxic or problematic relationship. [...]
Love You, Love Your Partner
How loving yourself can enhance your relationships with others. “Love yourself before others can love you” - This is a common suggestion for healthy relationships, but what if you are already with someone? Is there a test you must pass to prove you love yourself? Should you break up with your partner to start this journey? [...]
