What is an Unhealthy Relationship? - SECCA National Sexuality and Your Rights

What is an Unhealthy Relationship?

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Some relationships are not healthy and can be harmful to people.

It is important to get help if you are in an unhealthy relationship.

Some things that happen in unhealthy relationships are:

Taking people’s
money.  

financial abuse

Hurting people with
mean words or yelling.

yelling

Not helping someone
get the care they need.

no help

Physical abuse.

physical hurt

Stalking or harassment may be:

stalking

Making threats of harm to
another person, themselves or animals.

threaten

Doing sexual things to someone when they do not give .

stalking

Making sexual comments towards someone when they
are not wanted.

sexual harrassment

Controlling where a person can go, who they can see and what they can do.

threaten

Doing things to make someone stay in a relationship when they want to end the relationship.

gift giving

Damaging
things.

damage property

Scaring
someone to
make them
afraid.

afraid

Unhealthy relationships can include not having equal power or say in decisions about your relationship or life together.

no say

If you want to talk to someone about an unhealthy relationship you can call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) 1800 737 732 or the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1800 880 052.

Who can be in an Unhealthy Relationship?

Unhealthy relationships can be in families, with friends, at work, where you live, or with partners.

You might have an unhealthy relationship with someone else.

People around you can be in unhealthy relationships with other people. It can be hard to know if relationships are healthy or unhealthy.

Speak with someone you trust if you are worried about behaviours in one of your relationships or the relationships of people around you.

family
friends
sexual partner
boss
carer
teacher
coach

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Page last updated: April 26, 2023

Getting help if you have been sexually assaulted can look like talking to: