A project by KSU Center for Advocacy, Response,

and Education & Manhattan High School's

Students Against Sexual Violence

HOW TO SUPPORT
A FRIEND IN A
VIOLENT
RELATIONSHIP
3. Let your friend know that you
It can be very difficult to support a
are concerned about them. You
loved one dealing with an abusive
can say, "I've noticed XYZ, is there

relationship. Here are some steps anything you would like to talk

to help you guide your support: about?" Remain open and

Relationship Red Flags

supportive

1. Recognize and understand your

4. Actively listen to and support
own feelings. You might feel Takes place in all settings and identity
your friend's decisions. It is
angry, sad, upset, frustrated at groups
important to help give back
your friend if they return to an Partner who bullies, threatens, or controls you
control to the victim who feels
abusive relationship. It is normal to Partner controls your money
their power has been stripped
have those feelings. Partner cuts you off from family and friends
away.
Partner physically and/or sexually abuses you

2. Educate yourself on abuse. Partner criticizes you or makes you feel small
5. Encourage your friend to take
Abuse is a pattern of violence and Partner coerces you into activities you do not
small steps to fit their needs. This
control. Victims can find it very want to do
could be talking with police,
difficult to leave a violent Partner keeps close tabs on where and with
speaking to someone on a hotline,
relationship due to finances, whom you go
or developing a safety plan.
children, housing, fear, or even Partner tracks your social media usage and

love. requires you to give them your passwords

6. Practice your own self-care.
Partner makes you feel that you owe them
You cannot 'fix' or 'save' another
sexual activities
person. Take time for you as you
Partner embarrasses you in front of others
need it.

Resource: webmd
 RESOURCES
National Sexual Assault Hotline
(RAINN - Rape, Abuse, & Incest
National Network)
1-800-656-4673

National Domestic Violence

Hotline
1-800-799-7233
WHAT DO
National Human Trafficking HEALTHY
Resource Center Hotline RELATIONSHIPS
1-888-373-7888 or Text 'HELP' or 'INFO'

to 233733
LOOK LIKE?
Childhelp National Child Abuse
Hotline
1-800-422-4453

National Suicide Prevention

Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

In healthy relationships, both partners take Ask yourself if your relationship is violent?
Kansas Crisis Hotline responsibility for their actions and work Does my partner respect me?

1-888-363-2287 together to sort out problems. Does my partner blame me for problems,

Both people feel respected, supported, and including my partner's own behavior towards

valued
Amy's Choice -- NetSmartz
Both people make decisions together
Resources on sexting, sexual exploitation,
Both people have friends and interests outside
me?
Does my partner make most of our decisions?
Am I afraid to tell my partner anything?

and online enticement of their relationship Do I feel forced to do things that I don't want

Both people settle disagreements with open to do?

https://www.missingkids.org/NetSmartz
and honest communication Does my partner promise to change and then

Both people respect each other's privacy and keep doing the same things?
*Note: organizations have some limits on confidentiality of minors,

but you do not have to provide Identifiable Information to these

space

resources Resource: healthfinder.gov