Dear Killa,

You do not deserve to be hurt. Nothing you say or do causes your partner to hurt you. We all get angry sometimes, but when we do, we all have choices. We can choose to express ourselves in healthy ways. Or we can be irresponsible and choose to hurt someone else — which is not healthy.

You are being treated badly. Signs of abuse like these may mean that you're not safe in your relationship — and it may get worse.

Unfortunately, many people are in hurtful, unsafe, or violent relationships. It can happen to anyone. It is believed that between 25-40 percent of teens have been in a violent relationship.

Healthy and happy relationships help us feel better about ourselves and our place in the world. Love should make us feel good, safe, and happy about the future. Unhealthy relationships can make us feel unhappy, unsafe, and fearful of the future.

People can hurt their partners

• verbally (through name-calling and disagreements that are never resolved)
• emotionally (by being disrespectful or jealous)
• sexually (through force or not caring about a partner's needs)
• physically (by violent mood swings, or by pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, choking, or biting)

You may be feeling alone — like you're the only person going through this. But you're not. There are many support services available. Many people have experienced abuse from someone they love. But you do not deserve to be hurt or let it continue. Support and help are out there.

You can begin by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 800-799-SAFE. This is a toll-free, confidential hotline, and you can to speak with a counselor in private. Or you can call your nearest Planned Parenthood health center at 1-800-230-PLAN.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.