Menu
01/09/2009
Warning Over 'Teen Girls Abuse'
A third of teenage girls suffer unwanted sexual acts in a relationship and a quarter physical violence, reveals new research today 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 one 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.
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.
Sian, one of the girls interviewed for the research, said: "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."
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.
Having an older boyfriend was found to put girls at a higher risk, with three-quarters of them saying they had been victims. Girls from a family where an adult had been violent towards them, one of their parents, or siblings, were also at greater risk.
For boys, having a violent group of friends made it more likely that they would be a victim, or be violent themselves, in a relationship.
One of report's authors, Professor David Berridge from the University's School for Policy Studies, 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 and 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.
"Boys and girls are under immense peer pressure to behave in certain ways and this can lead to disrespectful and violent relationships, with girls often bearing the brunt."
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 tel 0808 800 5000.
(GK/BMcc)
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 one 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.
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.
Sian, one of the girls interviewed for the research, said: "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."
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.
Having an older boyfriend was found to put girls at a higher risk, with three-quarters of them saying they had been victims. Girls from a family where an adult had been violent towards them, one of their parents, or siblings, were also at greater risk.
For boys, having a violent group of friends made it more likely that they would be a victim, or be violent themselves, in a relationship.
One of report's authors, Professor David Berridge from the University's School for Policy Studies, 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 and 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.
"Boys and girls are under immense peer pressure to behave in certain ways and this can lead to disrespectful and violent relationships, with girls often bearing the brunt."
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 tel 0808 800 5000.
(GK/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 July 2003
'Lad culture' and lack of respect impedes boys' school progess
Boys perform well at schools where the traditional 'three R's' are complemented by a fourth R – respect – according to the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
'Lad culture' and lack of respect impedes boys' school progess
Boys perform well at schools where the traditional 'three R's' are complemented by a fourth R – respect – according to the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
10 June 2013
January Trial Date For Actor Bill Roache
January 13 has been set as the trial date for Coronation Street actor Bill Roache. 81-year-old Roache faces 7 charges of historical sexual abuse, including two counts of rape against a 15-year-old and five counts of indecent assault against four girls aged between 11 and 16.
January Trial Date For Actor Bill Roache
January 13 has been set as the trial date for Coronation Street actor Bill Roache. 81-year-old Roache faces 7 charges of historical sexual abuse, including two counts of rape against a 15-year-old and five counts of indecent assault against four girls aged between 11 and 16.
25 April 2012
Bald Barbie's Spread Inspiration
Thousands of young girls who are suffering from the trauma of losing their hair are to be given an inspirational boost by a famous toymaker. Mattel, the maker of the Barbie doll has announced its plans to create a bald Barbie after an online petition was started to help young girls cope with the struggles of losing their hair at such a young age.
Bald Barbie's Spread Inspiration
Thousands of young girls who are suffering from the trauma of losing their hair are to be given an inspirational boost by a famous toymaker. Mattel, the maker of the Barbie doll has announced its plans to create a bald Barbie after an online petition was started to help young girls cope with the struggles of losing their hair at such a young age.
21 April 2008
Prescott Speaks Of Bulimia Pain
The former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has revealed that he suffered from an eating disorder for two decades. Mr Prescott, 69, said that he suffered from bulimia nervosa from the 1980s when he was in Labour's shadow cabinet. He made the announcement in support of an NHS campaign to raise awareness of eating disorders.
Prescott Speaks Of Bulimia Pain
The former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has revealed that he suffered from an eating disorder for two decades. Mr Prescott, 69, said that he suffered from bulimia nervosa from the 1980s when he was in Labour's shadow cabinet. He made the announcement in support of an NHS campaign to raise awareness of eating disorders.
03 November 2006
House fire father dies in hospital
The father of the family who died when their home was deliberately set on fire has died in hospital, it has been reported. Mohammed Riaz was the only survivor of the house fire in Accrington, Lancashire in which his wife, Caneze, 39, and his four daughters - Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 15, Alicia, 10, and three-year-old Hannah - died.
House fire father dies in hospital
The father of the family who died when their home was deliberately set on fire has died in hospital, it has been reported. Mohammed Riaz was the only survivor of the house fire in Accrington, Lancashire in which his wife, Caneze, 39, and his four daughters - Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 15, Alicia, 10, and three-year-old Hannah - died.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
