Recognising an unhealthy relationship 

Recognising an unhealthy relationship 

If something doesn’t feel right in your relationship, it probably isn’t.   

Every situation is unique, but there are some common factors in relationships that might mean that it is unhealthy and even abusive. Just thinking about these red-flag behaviours is an important first step and get some support if you’re experiencing one, or more of them in your relationship.

Here’s some red flags to look out for.

Your partner:

• Embarrasses you or puts you down. 
• Controls who you see, where you go, or what you wear. 
• Pressures you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually that make you feel uncomfortable. 
• Looks through your phone and social media. 
• Takes money from you and refuses to give it back. 
• Blocks you after a disagreement. 
• Threatens to hurt you. 
• Stops you from seeing your friends or family. 
• Looks at you or acts in a way that scares you. 
• Prevents you from working or attending education. 
• Blames you for their actions. 

We’ve teamed up with LADbible to present Van Wife—a powerful short film highlighting the red flags of coercive and controlling behavior. Through the story of Liv and Jack on their campervan journey, the film reveals how subtle coercive behaviors can escalate into abuse.

Can you spot all the red flags? Some are incredibly subtle. These warning signs, while they may seem minor at first, can quickly grow into a dangerous situation.

If any of this feels familiar to you or someone you know, reach out for support today.

For more advice on abusive behaviours, check out the Survivors’ Handbook. We know that some of the descriptions are upsetting but try to read as many as you can. It’s important that you can spot the signs before they escalate further.