Leaving Your Relationship
I want to break up with my partner but am afraid of how they’ll react. How can I leave without freaking them out?
It’s important to trust your instincts and be as careful as you need to be. Dating violence behavior is often most dangerous around or right after a breakup. If you decide to leave, your partner may react badly and lash out at you verbally and/or physically. Remember that your first priority in this situation is your own safety and not your partner’s feelings. Do what feels safest to you. It is critical to develop a plan for leaving safely, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) can help. Think about who you can tell about your plans so that you are not alone. Reach out to friends and family to make sure you have the support you will need once you leave. Stay in close touch with people you trust so that they know you are safe and that your former partner is not stalking or threatening you.
I broke up with someone and now they won’t leave me alone. What should I do?
This is a real warning sign that a person could get very violent. Take your safety seriously. Find a safe way to communicate clearly to the person that you want them to leave you alone. Tell people who can help you stay safe about what’s going on. Coworkers, teachers, family, housemates, and other people in your daily life can lend you support, if you let them.
Stalking is a crime, so if you feel threatened by the person not leaving you alone, you can report it to the police. If someone is stalking you, keep a record of when they’ve contacted you, what they’ve done, and what they’ve said. If they leave you messages, don’t erase them. You can get a protective order or a restraining order to keep away from you. For more information, check out the Attorney General’s stalking Website or call the Family Violence Legal Line at 1-800-374-4673.
I’m one of my dating partner’s only friends. How can I take away all that they have?
It is important to remember you are not responsible for your partner’s happiness. You are responsible for your own happiness and safety.
If you want to talk to someone from
loveisrespect.org,the National Teen Dating
Abuse Helpline, click chat icon below.
Trained professionals and young adults are
available for assistance and support.
If chat is unavailable, call 1-866-331-9474
or 1-866-331-8453 TTY.