How to Help A Friend in an Abusive Relationship

Many good friends want to know how to help a friend in an abusive relationship. First, you must understand that facts and warning signs in order to help. Healthy relationships are built on values of trust, patience, and respect for the other person. Unfortunately, some relationships can turn bad. A study has proven that 1 in 10 high schools students report physical and/or mental abuse × Abuse
Abuse /a·buse/ Abuse is defined as the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices: crimes or other types of aggression. Abuse is a negative and real threat that many people face. Child abuse is a problem that is continually occurring. The main types of child abuse are physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglecting. When these types of abuse occur in a home, they often go unnoticed. The stress and fear of the abuse will usually cause the victim to remain quite about the problem. It is a difficult problem to find out and assess, but there are solutions. It is important that people are aware of signs of abuse. They may include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, fear of going home, changes in eating and sleeping and lack of personal care or hygiene.
during a relationship. Many teenagers in these types of relationships mistake the abuse for eroticism or care. Sometimes, it may even be flattering the the prey. Realistically, jealousy and control issues are not signs of affection at all.

How to Help A Friend in an Abusive Relationship

• Tell them that it is not their fault.
• Tell them that they don’t deserve it.
• Believe them and let them know that you do.
• Be supportive, but don’t tell them what to do. Whatever they decide it is their decision.
• Don’t blame them for the abuse or their decisions. It is difficult to leave a relationship and they may not be ready yet.
• Offer to go with them to talk to someone such as a teacher, a counselor, or an advocate.
• Continue to be there for them even if they do not leave the relationship.
• Let them know that they can always come to you.
• Don’t spread gossip. It could be dangerous for them.
• Help them to make a safety plan.
• Give them good information about abuse.

Parents can help their struggling teen out of this dating violence situation by removing them from the environment × Environment
n.noun en·vi·ron·ment The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines environment as the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. A person's environment, or social surroundings, have an enormous impact on the way that person thinks and operates. If a person is surrounded by negativity, he/she is more likely to replicate that negativity and display negative behaviors in other areas of life. The environment of a troubled teen can often be the root cause or factor in the troubled adolescent's negative behavior. When an impressionable teenage boy or girl is surrounded by negative peers, it is common for these teens to develop negative behaviors themselves. It is for this reason that parents should be aware of their child's social surroundings and environmental influences. If a teenage boy or girl is troubled, a total change in their environment may be in order. By replacing a troubled teen's negative environment with that of a therapeutic, nurturing and rehabilitative environment, troubled adolescents are able to emotional, therapeutic and behavioral restoration.
. Parents should seek help because it is one of those situation where talking doesn’t erase the problem. Parents of troubled girls × Troubled girls
The term troubled girls refers to adolescent females who struggle with therapeutic, emotional or behavioral disorders. Troubled girls often struggle with issues such as, problems in school, have little to no respect towards authority, or struggle with unhealthy addictions. Parents of troubled girls need to understand the potential dangers that may arise in the lives of a troubled teenage girl. Adeloscent girls who show signs of being troubled, or suffer from emotionally or behavioral disorders are at high risk. Drug abuse, sexual acting out and other problematic behavior will run rampant and out of control if unchecked or ignored. Teenage girls who do not receive adequate or necessary treatment are likely to carry this type of mindset and behavior with them well into adulthood. There is a plethora of options for parents of troubled girls to seek help from in terms of treatment. These therapeutic options include, therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment programs, residential ranch therapy programs and group homes for troubled teens.
should seek guidance at Re-Creation Retreat to help their girls get fully back on track. There are available treatment programs that will ensure growth and healing in every aspect of an abused teen’s life.