Talking Point: How can sexual abuse in teenage relationships be addressed?
Joe Lepper
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A survey has revealed the shocking extent of sexual abuse within teenage relationships. But encouraging young people to speak out about abuse can be the first step to ending it Violence and pressure to have sex are commonplace in many teenage relationships, according to alarming evidence from the NSPCC and the University of Bristol.
Their survey of more than 1,300 13- to 17-year-olds found that a quarter of girls said they have been slapped, punched or beaten by boyfriends and a third had been pressured to take part in sexual acts. The results also showed one in six teenage girls had been pressured into having intercourse and one in 16 had been raped.
Boys were also the victims of violence within relationships, with one in five saying they had suffered in this way.
One of the girls surveyed, Sian, told researchers: "I only went out with him for a week. And then because I didn't want to have sex he just started picking on me and hitting me."
The NSPCC is calling on schools and youth services to expand their anti-bullying initiatives to focus on violence and abuse within relationships. Chris Cloke, the NPSCC's head of child protection and diversity, says youth workers can play an important role in helping victims of abuse and raising awareness of the issue.
He says that often the best starting point for young victims of sexual and physical relationship abuse is to make them realise that what is happening to them is wrong. In too many cases, young people can believe such abuse is normal.
Youth workers should consider initiating group discussions about relationships, asking young people to list what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in a relationship.
They should also look at the barriers abuse victims face to either addressing the problem or ending a relationship. Do they feel pressure from friends and the media to have sex? Do they feel pressure to be in a couple?
What are the causes of violence or abuse in a relationship? The survey suggests that one factor is younger girls having older boyfriends Three-quarters of young girls in such a situation said they have been the victim of abuse.
The NSPCC urges youth workers to regularly speak to young girls who are in relationships with older boyfriends to ask if they want to speak about any problems and check on their safety.
Friends are crucial to helping victims of abusive relationships and are often the first people they turn to for support. Youth workers should consider setting up peer support groups, such as those already in place for bullying, to help young people suffering in violent relationships. Other support is available through groups such as ChildLine and the Samaritans. Ensure their numbers and promotional posters are displayed.
