We all have different types of relationships in life
These can include relationships with friends, family, teachers and health professionals. As well as romantic relationships.
Romantic relationships can be a bit more complicated than other relationships. A healthy relationship involves trust, respect, and equality. You should feel safe and secure, value each other’s opinions and support one another.
It can be hard to recognise warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. All relationships can have good times and bad. If you are arguing all the time and you do not feel happy, or are worried about your relationship, you could talk to your partner about how you feel or talk to a trusted friend or adult.
There can be some warning signs of unhealthy (or abusive) relationships which include:
- Checking up on you all of the time
- Checking your phone and messages
- Blaming or threatening you
- Controlling your actions and choices
- Using sex to control you
- Causing you physical harm
If you don’t feel happy in your relationship, or you are worried about your relationship, you can confidentially speak to a member of staff at The Corner.
For further information and support about relationships, you can also visit:
Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to the age of 19 in the UK, provided by the NSPCC.
Scottish’s Women’s Aid, for women and young people, are working towards the prevention of domestic abuse.
ManKind Initiative are a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence.
Sex and the law … the age of consent
You need to be over the age of consent before you can agree to any sexual activity. In Scotland, the age of consent is 16. Breaking the law could attract the attention of the police or the Children & Families service.
If you are both over 16 and want to have any sexual contact, you will not be breaking the law.
The law says that any sexual activity with someone under 13 is a very serious offence. People doing this could be charged with rape or sexual assault. For support please see the link below or speak to someone at The Corner.
Consent
Consent means saying yes to something without feeling pressured or scared. Consent isn’t always a yes or no answer. If your partner is pushing you away or freezes this could be a sign that they don’t want to continue.
Each time you want to have sex or sexual activity it is important to make sure that the other person agrees or consents. If you are unsure if the other person is consenting, STOP, have a conversation and ask.
You should never feel pressured to have sex. Even if you have said yes before, it doesn’t mean you have to say yes again. You need to have consent every time.
This video; “Consent – It’s as Simple as Tea” created by Thames Valley Police, explains what consent means:
If consent has not been given and you have been forced to have sex against your will, this is called rape. If you have been forced to have sex without consent, it is important to know that this is not your fault.
Visit Childline’s website page by clicking here which will tell you more about rape, sexual assault and keeping safe; no matter what age you are.
There are many services available where you can speak to someone or get some advice. Staff at The Corner can also support you.
Rape Crisis Scotland provides a national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened.
Women’s Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (WRSAC) provide support to women and young people who have experienced any form of sexual violence, abuse or exploitation.
