How to prevent abuse in teenage relationships

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Nicola Bowes, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Karen De Claire, Cardiff Metropolitan University

The UK has made some positive shifts in legislating against intimate partner violence among adults in recent years. However, physical, psychological and sexual violence in teenage relationships is still a very real problem.

A recent study of young people – aged 15 to 18 years old – in relationships in the UK and Spain, found that 21% experience serious victimisation by partners (an example given was one partner slamming the other into a wall). A further 30.1% meanwhile are subject to mild aggression including pushing, grabbing or shoving.

Across Europe there are similar findings. 42% of young women and 39% of young men (aged 16 to 17-years-old) experience physical violence. And a Portuguese study has revealed that 31% of girls age 15 to 16-years-old experience sexual violence in relationships.

Psychological victimisation – including hostile attitudes, intimidation or restrictive control – is the most prevalent type of relationship violence that young people (aged 14-20) experience. Some studies report rates as high as 94% of girls and 93% of boys.

Ending the violence

Having positive peer relationships during adolescence has been shown to be one of the most important things for teenagers’ well being, health, school attendance and achievement, and self-esteem. Lack of peer relationships, loneliness, or negative peer relationships have a hugely negative affect on those same things.