ACTIVITY ONE

Types of abusive relationship

Abuse in relationships is any behaviour or pattern of behaviour used to coerce, dominate or

isolate the other partner. It is the use of any form of power that is imposed by one partner
over the other to maintain control within the relationship. Abuse includes, but is not limited
to:

 Physical Abuse: Hitting, choking, slapping, burning, shoving, using a weapon,

physically restraining; intentional interference with basic needs (e.g. food, medicine,
sleep).
 Isolation: Restricting freedom, controlling contacts with friends and family, access to
information and participation in groups or organizations, locking up in a
room/restricting mobility, monitoring telephone calls.
 Psychological & Emotional Abuse: Constantly criticizing, ridiculing (self, family,
friends, past), trying to humiliate or degrade, lying, undermining self-esteem,
misleading someone about the norms and values of the gay/lesbian communities in
order to control or exploit them.
 Stalking/Harassing Behaviour: Following, turning up at workplace or house,
parking outside, repeated phone calls or mail to victim and/or family, friends,
colleagues.
 Threats & Intimidation: Threatening to harm partner, self or others (children,
family, friends, pets); threatening to make reports to authorities that jeopardize child
custody, immigration or legal status; threatening to disclose HIV status; threatening to
reveal sexual orientation to family, friends, neighbors, and/or employers.
 Economic Abuse: Controlling or stealing money, fostering dependency, making
financial decisions without asking or telling partner.
 Sexual Abuse/Harassment: Forcing sex or specific acts, pressuring into unwanted
sexual behavior, criticizing performance.
 Property Destruction: Destroying mementos, breaking furniture or windows,
throwing or smashing objects, trashing clothes or other possessions.

Read through the above types of abusive in relationships.

1) For each type of abuse, write down one sign you might see to show this may be
happening.
2) Why do you think people might stay in abusive relationships?

ACTIVITY TWO

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/24HlcPJHYFpxTYDT5msqFpJ/how-the-
story-of-an-abusive-relationship-resonated-with-young-people

3) Having watched this clip, what signs were there than the girl was in an abusive
relationship?
4) Which of the types of abuse listed above did you notice in the clip?
ACTIVITY THREE

Abusive relationships and the cost of living crisis

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63819176

5) How serious a problem are abusive relationships?

How have financial pressures made this problem worse?
6) What support is there available?
7) Does this problem only affect women?
8) What can you do if you notice someone is in an abusive relationship?