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You can know people in different ways.
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You know some people very well… like friends and family.
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You spend lots of time together.
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You trust each other.
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You can tell them secrets and talk about anything.
But one person in your life may be special.
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This person is like your best friend, but even closer.
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This person may make you feel loved, happy, or excited.
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This person can be called:
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A boyfriend or girlfriend
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A husband or wife
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A lover
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A partner
People choose on other person to be their partner.
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If you pick a person and that person pick you, then...
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Both of you have a ‘relationship’.
Partners in a relationship like to:
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Be together a lot of the time
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Kiss and hug
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Hold hands
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Touch each other
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Sometimes they also choose to have sex
In a healthy relationship both of you make choices.
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Both of you choose when you want to be together.
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Both of you choose what you want to do together.
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Both of you choose if you want to:
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Kiss,
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Touch each other, or
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Have sex.
Sex can be part of a healthy relationship.
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You can have sex only if both of you want to.
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You do NOT have to have sex with anyone if you don’t want to!
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If both of you choose to have sex, talk about safe sex first.
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Learn more about safe sex
Do you have a healthy relationship?
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Do you make choices together about what to do?
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Do you feel safe with your partner?
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Do you feel good when you are with him or her?
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Do you share feelings and ideas?
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Do you talk about it when you disagree?
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If so, it sounds like you have a healthy relationship.
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Do you have an unhealthy relationship?
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Do you feel sad, angry, scared, or worried around your partner?
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Does your partner make you do things you do not want to do?
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Do you hide feelings from each other?
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Do you yell or hurt each other when you disagree?
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If so, it sounds like you do not have a healthy relationship.
You can get hurt in an unhealthy relationship.
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If you think your relationship is not healthy, you should talk to:
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A friend or family member that you trust,
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Someone from your church, or
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A counselor.
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If your partner hits you, call 911 or tell someone you trust today!
Relationships can make you have strong feelings.
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You may have different feelings about your partner at different times:
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Or sometimes:
In a healthy relationship you can always talk about how you feel.
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Tell your partner how you feel.
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Talk about good feelings and bad feelings.
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Talk to close friends and family about your relationship, too.
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If you need to talk to someone else, ask your support person to help you find a counselor.
Learn more about relationships and sex on the DDS SafetyNet.