Staying Safe in Relationships
Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, communication, and maintaining a balance with other areas of life.
Key Principles for Healthy Relationships
Open Communication: You should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and boundaries with their partner, while also listening and respecting their partner’s perspective. Effective communication builds trust and understanding in any relationship
Mutual Respect and Boundaries: Respecting each other’s personal limits is essential. Teens should feel empowered to set boundaries without fear of judgment and recognize the importance of respecting their partner’s comfort levels
Balance with Life Priorities: A healthy relationship should not overshadow school, family, friendships, or personal interests. Maintaining a balance ensures overall emotional and physical well-being
Friendship First: Building a strong friendship before pursuing a more romantic relationship helps establish trust and understanding. Shared interests and activities can provide natural opportunities to connect and communicate
Self-Awareness and Identity: You should continue developing their own interests and identity outside the relationship. This strengthens self-esteem and contributes to a more confident, balanced partnership
For more information about what to do if you don't feel safe or you have a worry about your relationship, click on the drop down panels below.
Teenage Relationship Abuse
Can you spot the signs of being in an unhealthy relationship? Are you affected by abuse within a current relationship? The Teenage Relationship Abuse Awareness Leaflet provides useful information and support services for you to access help.
If you are worried that you or your friends may be in an abusive relationship please view our leaflet: Abuse in relationships
You can also have a look at completing the safety plan below and you might want to consider sharing your worries with an adult that you trust.
Barnardo’s Real Love Rocks
Barnardo’s Real Love Rocks is a ground-breaking education and awareness raising programme developed by Barnardo’s Safer Futures Trauma Services. Promoting children and young people’s rights to healthy, consensual and safe relationships with peers, partner, their family and across their community is at the heart of this. Please visit the Barnado’s Real Love Rocks webpage and the flyer below for more information.
Barnardo’s Real Love Rocks (PDF, 1.1MB)
Cheshire Police have some resources about consent too! Click on the link to be taken to the Police website. Consent - It Starts With A Conversation | Cheshire Constabulary