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New research by NSPCC and University of Bristol:
'Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships'

New research by NSPCC and University of Bristol: 'Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships' The report reveals that a third of teenage girls suffer unwanted sexual acts in a relationship and a quarter physical violence.

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.

Nearly nine out of ten boys also said they had been in a relationship. A smaller number 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).

Girls were much more likely to find this behaviour harmful - more than three in every four compared to one in ten boys. Girls also reported that they suffered more repeatedly in relationships and at a younger age.

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."

The report, which was part-funded by the Big Lottery Fund, recommends that:

• Schools should raise awareness amongst pupils of the harm caused by controlling and physically or sexually abusive behaviour.
• Schools' peer support groups, which mainly tackle bullying, should expand their remit to provide support for young people suffering violent relationships.
• Professionals dealing with child protection and domestic violence cases should also check the safety of young people in the family who are in intimate relationships, especially girls with much older boyfriends.

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