
Relationships
Support for building healthy relationships and recognising abuse, reminding you that love shouldn’t hurt.
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You feel physically and emotionally secure
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Your boundaries, feelings, and body are honoured
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You believe what they say and be honest
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Decisions are shared, not controlled
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Your recovery is encouraged, not undermined
What Healthy Love Looks Like:
Red Flags and Warning Signs
You are afraid to say no to them
They control your money, phone, friendships, or movements
They pressure you into sex or sexual acts without your consent
They blame you for their behaviour
They use threat, violence, or humiliation to belittle you
They push you towards alcohol or drugs
They minimise or deny hurting you
If You’ve Experienced Domestic Abuse or Sexual Violence
Scottish Women’s Aid – Local and national domestic abuse services
🔗 https://womensaid.scot/
Rape Crisis Scotland – Confidential support for anyone affected by sexual violence
📞 08088 01 03 02
🔗 rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Victim Support Scotland – Help after crime, including abuse and assault
🔗 https://victimsupport.scot/
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline – 24/7 support
📞 0800 027 1234
🔗 sdafmh.org.uk
Types of Domestic Abuse:
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Hitting, slapping, kicking, strangling, or using object as weapons
Blocking your exit, destroying possessions, or threatening to harm you
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Name-calling, insults, humiliation, or constant criticism
Gaslighting- making you doubt your memory or reality
Threatening to harm themselves or others if you leave
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Pressuring, coercing, or forcing sexual activity without consent
Withholding affection or intimacy as punishment
Using sex to assert control or dominance
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Taking control of your income/benefits
Preventing you from working or forcing you to hand over your earnings
Creating debts in your name
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A pattern of controlling behaviours that isolate you from family/friends
Monitoring your movements, calls, or messages
Making all decisions for you, including your body and recovery
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Tracking your phone location or online activity
Sending abusive messages, threats, or posting harmful content online
Using social media to harass or intimidate
The Impact of Abuse and Trauma in Recovery
Experiences of abuse or sexual violence can:
Make trust feel dangerous
Trigger shame or self-blame
Affect your ability to set or hold boundaries
Cause flashbacks or anxiety in intimacy
Lead to repeating harmful patterns
Explore the Recovery Toolkit