Preventing and Eliminating Relationship Violence
There are many characteristics that make a healthy and happy relationship possible. Respect, trust, honesty, support, equality, and good communication are just some of the things that two individuals should have in order to be happy and healthy in their relationship.
To begin with, respect in terms of a relationship means that each person values who the other is and realizes that boundaries exist. Honesty also needs to be present, as both individuals need to be truthful with each other. Trust cannot exist without honesty, because if your significant other tells you a lie once, odds are you will have trouble believing them the next time. Also, both of the people in the relationship must be there for each other during good and bad times. Many people can build their relationship back up from troubling times, but cannot support their relationship when everything is go right and vice versa; but both are needed. Both members must also be equal and participate equally in decision making. Without good communication, does a relationship really stand a chance? Partners need to be able to express their feeling and emotions. All in all, these aspects are absolutely critical in relationships and without them two people cannot be happy or healthy.
Relationship violence is when one partner (usually the male) tries to intimidate and gain power in relationship by threats or use of violence. Relationship violence can occur in any relationship, and is a bigger problem than people think. This type of violence takes many shapes and forms, the most common being: physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and sexual abuse.
Physical abuse is when the abuser physically attacks or shows aggressive behaviour towards the other member in the relationship. Examples of this are: pushing, punching, kicking, abandonment in a dangerous place, etc. Emotional or psychological abuse includes constant verbal...