Baby P - NSPCC Campaign Action Group to protect all children: Teen girls abused by boyfriends warns NSPCC
Teen girls abused by boyfriends warns NSPCC
A third of teenage girls in a relationship suffer unwanted sexual acts and a quarter physical violence, reveals new research launched today (1 September 2009) by the NSPCC and the University of Bristol.
The survey of 13 to 17-year-olds found that nearly nine out of ten girls had been in an intimate relationship. Of these, one in six said they had been pressured into sexual intercourse and 1 in 16 said they had been raped. Others had been pressured or forced to kiss or sexually touch. A quarter of girls had suffered physical violence such as being slapped, punched, or beaten by their boyfriends.
A smaller number of boys reported pressure or violence from girls. Only one in seventeen boys in a relationship reported being pressured or forced into sexual activity and almost one in five suffered physical violence in a relationship.
Unlike most boys, girls often felt they had little choice but to put up with the abuse because they felt scared, guilty, or feared they would lose their boyfriend.
One of report’s authors, Professor David Berridge from the University of Bristol, said: “The high rate and harmful impact of violence in teenagers’ intimate relationships, especially for girls, is appalling. It was shocking to find that exploitation and violence in relationships starts so young. This is a serious issue that must be given higher priority by policy makers and professionals.”
NSPCC Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Diana Sutton said: “It is shocking to find so many young people view violence or abuse in relationships as normal. Many will not tell their parents what is happening.
“We must make sure that every young person knows this behaviour is never acceptable, that nobody should hurt or scare them, and they can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 for help.
Parents and other adults who are concerned about the safety or welfare of a young person in a relationship can contact the free, 24-hour NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
The survey of 13 to 17-year-olds found that nearly nine out of ten girls had been in an intimate relationship. Of these, one in six said they had been pressured into sexual intercourse and 1 in 16 said they had been raped. Others had been pressured or forced to kiss or sexually touch. A quarter of girls had suffered physical violence such as being slapped, punched, or beaten by their boyfriends.
A smaller number of boys reported pressure or violence from girls. Only one in seventeen boys in a relationship reported being pressured or forced into sexual activity and almost one in five suffered physical violence in a relationship.
Unlike most boys, girls often felt they had little choice but to put up with the abuse because they felt scared, guilty, or feared they would lose their boyfriend.
One of report’s authors, Professor David Berridge from the University of Bristol, said: “The high rate and harmful impact of violence in teenagers’ intimate relationships, especially for girls, is appalling. It was shocking to find that exploitation and violence in relationships starts so young. This is a serious issue that must be given higher priority by policy makers and professionals.”
NSPCC Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Diana Sutton said: “It is shocking to find so many young people view violence or abuse in relationships as normal. Many will not tell their parents what is happening.
“We must make sure that every young person knows this behaviour is never acceptable, that nobody should hurt or scare them, and they can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 for help.
Parents and other adults who are concerned about the safety or welfare of a young person in a relationship can contact the free, 24-hour NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.