How do I deal with an unsafe relationship?

girlfriend and boyfriend arguing Relationships can be loving and supportive, but sometimes they can become complicated, and even unsafe. Take this quiz to find out how to identify and address an unsafe relationship.

True or False: When you are dating someone, it is important that you spend time with your family and friends.

True

False

True or False: 1 in 10 teens experience physical violence in their relationships.

True

False

True or False: If your girlfriend/boyfriend calls to check up on you all of the time, and demands to know where you are and who you are with, it just means that she/he really likes you.

True

False

True or False: When you start dating someone new, it is a good idea to go out with a group of friends to a public place for the first time.

True

False

Scenario: Helping your friend Kate

Kate used to spend a lot of time with her friends, and was happy most of the time. Kate started seeing her new boyfriend, Steve, a few months ago. They seemed like the perfect couple, but Steve has been pressuring Kate to drink alcohol. She has stopped spending time with her friends. After school one day, you watched Steve grab Kate's arm and push her.

What should you do as Kate's friend?

Ignore it. You should mind your own business.

Tell everyone that you think that Steve is hurting Kate.

Talk to Kate and tell her that you are concerned about what is going on.

Yell at Steve in front of other people at school and accuse him of hurting Kate.

After you talked to Kate, she tells you that Steve does push her sometimes. She apologizes for his behavior and says that “he didn't mean it.” What should you tell her?

Tell Kate that it is NOT okay that Steve pushes her.

Tell Kate that it is not her fault that he is violent.

Tell Kate that she should talk to an adult right away.

All of the above.

Kate agrees to talk to the school nurse that afternoon about Steve because she is scared to tell her parents. What should you do?

Yell at her and demand that she end the relationship with Steve now.

Offer to go with her to speak with the nurse so that she will be more comfortable.

Talk to her parents behind her back before she goes to the nurse.

Tell her to call you next week.

After Kate talks to the nurse and then her parents, she decides to break up with Steve. What advice could you give her about a safety plan?

Walk with her friends between classes and home from school.

Avoid talking to Steve and answering his phone calls.

Keep important phone numbers with her in case of an emergency.

All of the above.

Center for Young Women's Health

Quiz: How do I deal with an unsafe relationship?

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