Healthy Relationships
Relationships play a key role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The term “healthy relationships” acts as an umbrella and covers several aspects of a relationship including romantic, sexual, and platonic relationships which, all play a part in shaping our lives. While there is no such thing as a perfect relationship, a healthy relationship adds enjoyment to our lives, while an unhealthy relationship can cause emotional, mental, and physical harm.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline defines a healthy relationship as a relationship that “ allows both partners to feel supported and connected but still feel independent. COMMUNICATION and BOUNDARIES are the two major components of a healthy relationship. Ultimately, the two people in the relationship decide what is healthy for them and what is not”.
The purpose of this page is to provide Illinois Wesleyan students with the resources and information necessary to maintain healthy relationships, recognize what unhealthy relationships may look like, and support those that may be in an unhealthy relationship.
Please examine the Relationship Spectrum chart by the National Domestic Violence Hotline to determine if you are experiencing any signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship.
What is Consent?
Consent is informed, freely and actively given, mutually understandable words or actions which indicate a willingness to participate in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. The following factors should be considered by a person in determining whether another person has given consent: (i) consent is a freely given agreement to sexual activity, (ii) a person's lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the use or threat of force does not constitute consent, (iii) a person's manner of dress does not constitute consent, (iv) a person's consent to past sexual activity does not constitute consent to future sexual activity, (v) a person's consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not constitute consent to engage in sexual activity with another, (vi) a person can withdraw consent at any time, and (vii) a person cannot consent to sexual activity if that person is unable to understand the nature of the activity or give knowing consent due to circumstances, including without limitation the following: (a) the person is incapacitated due to the use or influence of alcohol or drugs; (b) the person is asleep or unconscious; (c) the person is under age; or (d) the person is incapacitated due to a mental disability.
Campus Resources:
Local Resources:
Additional Information:
- Am I a Good Partner quiz
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (available 24 hours, 7 days a week)
- National Bilingual Hotline (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
- Tips for Healthy Conflict Resolution
- Relationship Spectrum
- Ten Signs of a Healthy Relationship