This guidance provides advice for schools and teenagers on dealing with issues around teenage relationship abuse.
Teenagers experience as much relationship abuse as adults. Several independent studies have shown that 40% of teenagers are in abusive dating relationships. Domestic violence is still a ‘hidden’ issue in our society; and it is even more so for teenagers. This is exacerbated by the fact that adolescents can be more accepting of, and dismissive about, this form of behaviour than adults.
Nearly 75% of girls and 50% of boys have reported some sort of emotional partner abuse. It is therefore likely that there are young people in your school who are experiencing relationship abuse.
It is important for all school staff to understand that this needs to be taken seriously.
One survey reported that 77% of young people feel they do not have enough information and support to deal with physical or sexual violence. Schools can provide this in a safe environment.
View A Teacher’s Guide to Violence and Abuse in Teenage Relationship
AVA, 2011