Two in five teenage girls experience sexual violence from boyfriend
TWO in five teenage girls, some as young as 13, have experienced sexual violence from a boyfriend, according to the shocking results of a new survey.
There needs to be a greater focus in schools on topics such as sexual exploitation and violence against girls and young women, as part of a balanced curriculum
Research carried out by the University of Bristol and the University of Central Lancashire showed two in five girls aged between 13 and 17 had experienced sexual violence and one in five suffered physical violence from a partner.
The study, which surveyed 1,001 teenagers in England, also looked at incidents and attitudes to abuse through school-based questionnaires to 3,500 young people in Norway, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Italy.
Rates of interpersonal violence and abuse (IPVA) were found to be higher for girls in England than in the other countries, except reported instances of emotional abuse in Italy but English teenage boys reported the lowest rates of IPVA overall, although 14 per cent said they had suffered sexual abuse.
Nearly half, 48 per cent, of girls reported emotional and online abuse within their relationship and instances of sexting - sharing sexual images and texts – appear far higher in England.
Some 48 per cent of teenage girls admitted having received messages and two in five admitting to sending them, with around one in four, 27 per cent, saying it was because they felt pressured to do so.
Lead author Dr Christine Barter, who is based at the University of Bristol's School for Policy Studies, said violence was a major problem.
She added: "In most countries it remains unrecognised, leaving young people with little support or appropriate services."
Meanwhile, the researchers also found many young boys had watched porn and had negative attitudes to women.
Around 39 per cent of boys surveyed in England admitted they regularly watched pornography and around one in five, 18 per cent, strongly agreed with statements such as, "It is sometimes acceptable for a man to hit a woman if she has been unfaithful" or "Women lead men on sexually and then complain about the attention they get".
The research, funded by the European Commission, has prompted the NSPCC to call on the Government for action to ensure teenagers understand healthy relationships.
Claire Lilley, the charity's head of child safety online, said: "There needs to be a greater focus in schools on topics such as sexual exploitation and violence against girls and young women, as part of a balanced curriculum."
