Abuse in Teenage Relationships

Domestic abuse isn’t just abuse that occurs between married people in a home, it can happen to anyone, including young people in their intimate relationships.

Young people are especially vulnerable particularly when they are entering into their first relationships.

What they experience can really define and shape what they come to think of as healthy behaviour between people in a relationship.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 999

How Prevalent is it?

Several independent studies have shown that 40% of teenagers are in abusive dating relationship.

Research from the University of Bristol and the NSPCC shows that 25% of girls aged 13-17, and 17% of boys, have experienced the use of physical force (pushing, slapping, hitting or being held down) in a relationship

72% of girls and 51% of boys had experienced emotional violence (most commonly “being made fun of” and “constantly being checked up on”).

More than 25% of domestic violence cases involve technology-facilitated abuse of children

Overwhelmingly, young people keep these incidents within their peer group, talking to friends rather than to parents or carers or to other adults.

A Few Red Flags

  • Embarrasses you or puts you down
  • Controls who you see, where you go, or what you wear
  • Pressures you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually that make you feel uncomfortable
  • Looks through your phone and social media
  • Takes money from you and refuses to give it back
  • Blocks you after a disagreement
  • Threatens to hurt you
  • Stops you from seeing your friends or family
  • Looks at you or acts in a way that scares you
  • Prevents you from working or attending education
  • Blames you for their actions

Young Carers

Children and young people who look after a parent or relative who is ill, physically or mentally disabled, drug dependent or an alcoholic, are known as young carers.

The full extent of young-caring in the UK is hard to measure because many young carers go unidentified and some are fearful of intrusion or unwelcome intervention into family life.

Young carers may be particularly vulnerable as they are at higher risk of seeking support elsewhere when their parents are unable to provide it.

Young Carer

Not sure if you or a young person you know might be in an abusive relationship?

Why not take or share this useful quiz?

Resources for Professionals

  • Adolescent Wellbeing Scale – Department of Health. This scale can provide insight into how a young person is feeling and gives an opportunity for further discussion, however, it is not a diagnostic tool and should not be used as one.
  • MACA (Multi-dimensional Assessment of Caring Activities) and PANOC (Positive And Negative Outcomes of Caring) scales are two questionnaires that can be used to help professionals understand the types of caring tasks the young person is doing, and the impact of these.
  • Working with young people experiencing relationship abuse
  • Working with young parents
  • Working with young people with mental health needs
  • Working with young people who misuse/abuse alcohol or substances
  • Research briefing for professionals working with young people at risk of child sexual exploitation

Further Reading and Resources