Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships: Know the Signs
Knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships Relationships are an important part of life. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their relationships. Types of relationships You can have many different types of relationships in your life. Some may change or end over time. Others may last a […]
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Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships: Know the Signs
Knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships Relationships are an important part of life. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their relationships. Types of relationships You can have many different types of relationships in your life. Some may change or end over time. Others may last a […]
Women Living with HIV
Many international students told us they didn’t know much about HIV before coming to Australia. “More awareness is needed about any costs of testing and to clear up some common myths and misunderstandings around it (HIV),” student from Macau, China. The International Student Health Hub has information to help you […]
New semester, big celebrations: Staying well this February
This month, we’re sharing practical health tips, student voices, and helpful services to support you while you study in Australia. February is a busy month for international students in Australia. It’s a time for new beginnings, celebrations and for many, the start of a new semester. With Valentine’s Day, O-Week, Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year, it’s a great […]
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Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships: Know the Signs
Knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships
Relationships are an important part of life. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their relationships.
Types of relationships
You can have many different types of relationships in your life. Some may change or end over time. Others may last a lifetime.
Common types of relationships include:
Family
Friends
Acquaintances
Work or study colleagues
Intimate (romantic or sexual)
In an intimate relationship, people may use terms like partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife.
Sexuality
Sexuality is diverse and personal. It includes your feelings, thoughts, attractions and connections with other people. People can be attracted to the opposite sex, the same sex, or more than one sex or gender. This is normal.
Some people identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, a term that includes many sexual and gender identities.
In Australia, it is against the law to treat someone unfairly because of their sexuality. No matter how you identify, you have the right to be in a healthy and respectful relationship.
Watch Family Planning Australia’s video on sexuality to hear what students have to say.
What is a healthy relationship?
Healthy relationships are built with mutual respect, trust, honesty and good communication.
They should feel positive and supportive. You should feel safe being yourself. Healthy relationships can improve your physical, social and emotional wellbeing. All relationships have ups and downs and disagreements can happen. What matters is that you handle it respectfully.
Unhealthy relationships involve ongoing harmful behaviour. They can make you feel unsafe, anxious or stressed.
It can sometimes be hard to recognise unhealthy behaviour in a relationship. Especially at the beginning of a relationship, or if harmful behaviours have slowly increased over time.
Signs of an unhealthy relationship include:
Being teased, bullied or put down
Feeling scared or threatened
Someone checking your phone or messages without permission
Being controlled or constantly monitored
Pressured to have sex when you don’t want to
Being forced to have sex without protection
Being stopped from seeing friends or family
Someone taking your money or controlling your finances
Being filmed or photographed without consent
Feeling responsible for someone else’s anger or emotions
You should not be made to feel unsafe in a relationship. Support is available and there are people and services that can help.
If something doesn’t feel right, there are people that can help. You are not alone.
FOBGAYS+: Supports South Asian gay, lesbian, trans, and queer people.
Looking for a different community? Search for clubs, cultural groups, or student societies at your university or college to find your people.
To learn more and test your knowledge about consent and relationships visit the learning hub
Remember
Whether you’re in an intimate relationship or not, knowing the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships helps you look out for yourself and the people you care about.
