Short messages on Relationships issues from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
You may want to surround yourself with people who are moving forward in the same direction as you. Surround yourself with people who help you and believe in you, helping you towards being the absolute best person you can be. The phrase, “You are what you eat” is similar to “You are who you surround yourself with”.
Like we grow out of clothes, sometimes we grow out of people, too. That may sound like a bad thing to say, but it’s true. In middle school you may have grown out of the group of friends you had been with since preschool. After high school, you may have grown out of your friends from home and moved on to friends that you met at college. It’s perfectly natural as we get older to grow out of our previous groups of friends.
If you think someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse, there are lots of ways they can get help. Check out www.leewaysupport.org to find out what support is available in Norfolk and Suffolk, or call them on 0300 561 0077.
Many domestic violence victims find it hard to leave – they may be frightened, they may not have anywhere to go, perhaps they have no money or means of support. But there is professional support available out there for everyone – men, women and children.
2 women in the UK are killed every week by a partner or ex-partner, making domestic abuse the largest cause of death worldwide in women aged 19-44 – greater than war, cancer or motor vehicle accidents.
Norfolk Police receive over 30,000 calls every year relating to domestic violence. Domestic violence is illegal and can result in prison sentences for the perpetrator.
Domestic abuse isn’t just about physical violence. It can include emotional and psychological damage as well – such as name-calling, threats and bullying. No-one deserves to be mistreated in any way by a member of their household.
Domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. You might see signs like bruising or someone wearing long sleeves in hot weather to cover up the bruises. Look out for friends who cut off relationships because their partner has told them to.
Men don’t recognise ‘hints’. If you want something from a man, ask clearly in plain language so there is no room for confusion. He is not stupid, just listens in a different way to a woman.
Men are good at focussing on one task at a time and understanding rule-based systems. Women are good at multitasking and empathising. Work together using each other’s strengths.