HEALTHY & UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
WHY PEER EDUCATION?
SYLC is committed to educating our peers about the red flags or warning signs of unhealthy and abusive relationships. It is important to know a person of any identity can be in an unhealthy relationship, and dating violence is too common an issue to ignore.
Before they become adults, 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a romantic relationship with.
In Alaska, half of adult women experience intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in their lifetime.
SYLC's peer educators strive to drive down these numbers by spreading messages and providing education aimed at preventing unhealthy relationships.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you are not alone and there are support and resources available to help.
It is never anyone's fault if they are being abused.
Everyone deserves a safe and healthy relationship.
All listed hotlines are available 24/7 unless stated otherwise. They are confidential unless you are under 18 and share mandatory reporting information (your name/age/where you live). These hotlines provide support and resources for people struggling with relationships, mental health and violence as well as their family members, adult supporters and friends.
These two are a good place to start
Reach out to speak to local advocates who can provide help, support and information
Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV)
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Crisis Line: 907-747-6511
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Shelter: 907-747-3370
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Text: 907-623-7820 (8am to 11pm)
For questions or concerns about your own or a friend's romantic relationship (for young people)
love is respect
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Call: 1-866-331-9474
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Text LOVEIS to 22522
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Chat online at loveisrespect.org
National Domestic Violence Helpline
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Call: 1-800-799-7233
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Text START to 88788
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Chat online at thehotline.org
Crisis support, protective service options and connection to local resources
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Crisis support, reporting options and direction to local resources
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Call: 1-800-656-4673
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Chat online at rainn.org
988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline
Crisis support for depression and suicide
(national hotline that connects you to Alaskan counselors)
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Call or text 988
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives
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Call or text 1-844-762-8483
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Chat online at strongheartshelpline.org
LGBT National Youth Talkline
Support, info, and resources for LGBTQIA+ youth, focused on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
Mon-Fri 12-8pm Sat 8am-1pm
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Call: 800-246-7743
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Chat online at lgbthotline.org
The Trevor Project
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Call: 1-866-488-7386
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Text START to 678-678
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Chat online at thetrevorproject.org
Crisis support for LGBTQIA+ youth struggling with coming out, identity, depression and suicide
Websites for More Info on Healthy Relationships
Teen dating and abuse guide. Articles, quizzes, resources and more
Information about sexual activity, reproductive health, sexual assault and sexual orientation
Trustworthy health resource created for Alaska Native and rural Alaska youth and allies
Unhealthy relationships can take many forms–they can be between friends and family as well as romantic partners.
If you think a friend, student or family member might be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, know that the best way you can show your support is by listening to them, validating their feelings, and respecting their decisions. If they are ready, you could also help them seek support from the resources listed above.
IS IT A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?
The three main categories are healthy, unhealthy, and abusive but a relationship can also be somewhere else along the spectrum, like being between healthy and unhealthy. All relationships fall somewhere on this spectrum and relationships can move forwards and backwards on it.
Often, abusive relationships go through something called the “Cycle of Abuse,” where there are three phases that repeat over varying time frames. Each phase can last anywhere from hours to years. If you see this cycle happening, it’s an indication of an abusive relationship. Someone may be experiencing dating abuse even if this pattern isn’t present.
Rights and responsibilities are important because they help set boundaries in relationships and make sure relationships stay healthy. In a relationship, you have the right to be treated in a certain way, and the responsibility to treat others in a certain way. People in a relationship should treat each other in a way that makes them both feel safe and respected.
The three main categories are healthy, unhealthy, and abusive but a relationship can also be somewhere else along the spectrum, like being between healthy and unhealthy. All relationships fall somewhere on this spectrum and relationships can move forwards and backwards on it.
SAFETY PLANNING
Teen dating violence is common–we hope it’s something you never experience, but want you to be prepared in case you find yourself in an unsafe situation. A "safety plan" can help you identify what you'd do and where you could turn for help in an abusive relationship.
These are a good place to start:
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List two friends that you trust that you can talk to about relationships or ask for help.
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List four adults you can talk to for help staying safe and accessing resources if you find yourself in an abusive relationship.
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List two places you can find more information about healthy relationships.
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List two safe places you can go if you find yourself in immediate danger.
Keep your safety plan in a safe place–if you’re experiencing an abusive relationship, keep it in a place where your partner won’t find it.