College Health:
Violence/Abuse in Relationships

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How to Stay Healthy	Abusive Relationships
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Abuse in a relationship can be both physical and mental.

• Your partner should never threaten you or hurt you, and should never threaten to harm or harm any of your possessions or people that are important to you.
• You should never feel afraid of your partner or controlled by him or her.
• Your partner should never make you feel worthless or bad about yourself.

If your partner does any of these things, get help and get out of the relationship. If your partner abuses you, he or she probably will never stop. You will be much better off without an abusive partner! You deserve to be treated with love and respect.

What should I do if I am in an abusive or violent relationship?

If you are in an abusive relationship, you should talk to an adult that you trust, someone from your college counseling service, or a domestic abuse hotline. These people can help you with your concerns. If you ever feel that you are in danger when you are with your partner, or after you have broken up with your partner, call 911 and explain your situation. If you break up with your partner and fear that he/she may come after you, stay at a safe place where he/she can't contact you. You can talk to the police about what you can do to legally protect yourself from abuse.

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Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 5/6/2010