What are signs of a healthy relationship?
• Trusts partner. • Accepts the other partner’s friends and family without jealousy. • Allows for each partner’s individuality. • Allows for growth and change without one or the other partner being threatened. • Does not attempt to control or change the other partner. • Encourages self-sufficiency in each partner. • Encourages high self-esteem in each partner. What are common ploys used by abusers which frequently play on the victim’s emotions of fear, guilt, concern and trust?There are many reasons women stay in abusive relationships. The following is only a partial list: • Threats of suicide. Threatens to kill the victims, the children or counselors. • Files a missing person’s report to enlist the help of police to track down the survivor. • Threats of legal actions, such as taking away the survivor’s child custody. • Harassing or threatening relatives or friends. • Burns clothes or belongings as symbolic gesture. • Crying, saying he can’t live without her. • Promises to get counseli
