Controlling behaviour is when a person makes someone do something for selfish reasons even if they don’t want to do something (manipulating), controlling them through fear (intimidating) or taking unfair advantage of someone for their own benefit (exploit).

Controlling behaviours are abusive and can cause people to feel frightened or intimidated (often scaring someone into doing something they want). This can sometimes lead to other types or forms of abuse such as physical domestic violence (hitting etc). Some examples are telling someone what to wear and how to dress, who they can and can’t see, isolating someone from their friends/ family, constantly putting someone down and criticising them.

Risky behaviours are activities, actions, and/or habits that pose a threat to the person doing them and, potentially, other people as well.

Sometimes, if a person has gone through difficulties in their life, this may lead to them to do things to try and ‘fit in’ or look for love and affection in unhealthy ways, for example smoking, having unprotected sex or anti-social behaviour.

If you think something may be a risky behaviour, it may be helpful to take a minute and think what the consequences could be of the action.