24-Hour Helpline
(920) 729-5727
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
P.O. Box 99
Neenah, WI 54957-0099
Phone: (920) 235-5998
Fax: (920) 729-0690
For Teens...
Understanding healthy vs. unhealthy relationships and how to help
You deserve to feel safe and be free from abuse in your dating relationship.
Need help from an advocate or counselor? Not sure who your school liaison officer is? Need to call another service provider? CLICK THIS LINK, and use our Teen Resource Directory as a tool to help point you in the right direction. Help is here.
You should be treated like an equal. You should be able to make decisions with your dating partner, not have them made for you. There should be open communication, and, when it comes to your phone and Facebook, there should be no worries about constant calls and check-ups or scary, inappropriate text messages and posts. These are just a few examples of what a healthy relationship is all about.
There are many warning signs of the power and control that can signal an abusive dating relationship, red flags like...
- Extreme jealousy: One partner is always jealous of who the other hangs out with.
- Won't accept breaking up: One partner might even threaten to hurt himself or herself to guilt the other into avoiding a break-up.
- Violence: One partner has a history of fighting, gets upset easily, uses weapons or brags about mistreating others.
- Blames the victim, other factors: One partner places the blame for abusive behavior on drugs, alcohol, stress or even the victim. Substance abuse and inability ot handle stress are separate problems. And abuse is NEVER the victim's fault.
- ... These are just a few examples.
Don't be a bystander: Be a friend, help a friend
If you see a friend or peer in an unhealthy relationship, here's what you can say to be safe and supportive...
- Ask: "Are you all right? I'm concerned about you and want to be here for you."
- Care & Listen: "Nobody deserves to be treated that way." ... Don't judge. Don't criticize. Be patient and listen.
- Take action. Offer to seek help: "I'll be here and ready to help whenever you want. Just say the word."
Extra help on the Web...
- Love is Respect -- National Dating Abuse Hotline
- Teen Dating Violence Prevention Project
- Break the Cycle
- A Thin Line
- That's Not Cool
- Teen Connection on Wisconsin Public Television
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