Relationships
Support for building healthy relationships and recognising abuse, reminding you that love shouldn’t hurt.
What Healthy Love Looks Like:
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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
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
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
Government Resources- End Violence Against Women and Girls
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
Explore the Recovery Toolkit
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Self-Care
A gentle guide to self-care in recovery, with simple ideas, tools, and reminders that you are allowed to rest and heal.
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Journal and Reflection
Creative, trauma-informed journaling tools to help you express emotions, reflect on your journey, and reconnect with yourself.
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Family Relationships
Tools, including SMART family and friends, to encourage building and maintaining healthy relationships with those around you.
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Is This Helping Me or Harming Me?
A simple check-in tool to guide choices in recovery, helping you pause, reflect, and respond with self-compassion.
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Parenting
A gentle space for mums in recovery- offering support, reassurance, and tools to help you heal while showing up for your children.
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Recovery Workbook
A practical, empowering guide supporting alcohol and drug recovery through stories, reflection exercises, routines, self-awareness, connection, and community support.
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Opening Up
A guide to safely opening up to someone you trust, on your terms, without judgment or formal intervention.
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Mental Health and Mood Tracking
Gentle tracking tools to help you notice emotional patterns and support your mental wellbeing day by day.
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Safety and Boundaries Kit
Practical tools and gentle guidance to help you set, hold, and communicate boundaries in everyday life and relationships.
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Digital Resources
A guide on using technology to connect, learn, and grow in your recovery.
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Relationships
Support for building healthy relationships and recognising abuse, reminding you that love shouldn’t hurt.
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Managing Money
Tools to help you budget and manage your money wisely.
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Employment
Whether you’re ready to start working, volunteering, studying, or just exploring your options, this page is here to support you.
