Teenage domestic abuse - no excuses

The Royal Borough is supporting a Home Office campaign to highlight the problem of abuse in teenage relationships.

The campaign - which aims to prevent teenagers from becoming victims and perpetrators of abusive relationships - follows national research revealing:

• nearly 75% of girls and 50% of boys have reported some sort of emotional partner abuse and
• 33% of girls and 16% of boys reported some form of sexual abuse (NSPCC and the University of Bristol, 2009).

All secondary schools in the Royal Borough will receive publicity material in September to promote the campaign within their school, along with information for teachers, parents and carers. Further information for parents and carers can be found on www.direct.gov.uk/spotteenabuse.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety, said: "Campaigns like this are key to challenging the attitudes held by some young people that it's ok to hit your partner, even at a young age. Some teenage abusers may have grown up with their parents in an abusive relationship so think that this behaviour is 'normal' or 'acceptable'. We want young people to know that this is not the case and that help is available.

"Domestic abuse is not just physical but can include threats, isolation and psychological abuse, all carried out in a way to control another. Abuse in relationships is not normal and is not acceptable. It is never ok, and is only ever the fault of the person carrying out the abuse. There is support available both locally and nationally."

To report domestic abuse locally call Thames Valley Police on 999 in an emergency, or 0845 8 505 505 in a non-emergency. To speak to someone in confidence, call Berkshire East & South Bucks Women's Aid on 01753 549865, or visit www.rbwmdvf.org.uk for further information and support.

The campaign is supported by a dedicated website www.direct.gov.uk/thisisabuse where teens can go for advice and sign-posting to organisations that can help.

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