Domestic violence Research with Teenagers in the UK

Barter et al (2009) What did they do? – Confidential survey completed by 1,353 young people in England, Scotland & Wales – Equal numbers of boys and girls – Ages years – Mixed socioeconomic status Ref: Barter, C., McCarry, M., Berridge, D. & Evans, K. (2009). Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships, NSPCC/University of Bristol. Available on d_violence_report_wdf d_violence_report_wdf70129

What did they find? Physical Violence and Gender girlsboys Reported experiencing relationship violence, e.g. being slapped, hit or pushed 25%18% Reported severe physical violence, e.g. being punched, strangled or being hit with an object 11%4% Emotional impact of the violence More often reported feeling scared, frightened, upset or unhappy Described girls use of violence as amusing, sometimes annoying, but rarely reported negative emotional effects

What did they find? Emotional Violence and Gender girlsboys Behaviour included:- Verbal abuse Name calling Threatening them Controlling behaviour, e.g. stopping the person seeing their friends or going to places they want to Increase surveillance – through mobile phones and friends. 75%50% Negative impact on the lives of the individual resulting from emotional violence 31%6%

What did they find? Sexual violence – pressuring somebody into doing something, including threating to dump them, questioning their love or maturity, instilling fear of what would happen if they said no or using physical force, to get somebody to do something sexual. girlsboys Experienced sexual violence 31%Much lower Perpetrated sexual violence 3%12% Reasons given to justify perpetrator behaviour -It’s normal boy behaviour -Men should control women -It gives me status with other boys -Violence is a normal part of all relationships -Not knowing the difference between consent and coercion