What do we mean by domestic abuse in young people’s relationships?
The government definition of domestic violence and abuse changed in 2013 to include young
people aged 16 and 17, extending the definition increased awareness that young people in
this age group experience domestic violence and abuse, and encouraged more young people
to come forward and access support. However, younger children can also be affected. When
talking about young people involved in abusive relationships, the term used is ‘Interpersonal
Violence and Abuse’ (IPVA).
Young people who are be abusive in their own intimate relationships are more likely to have
experienced difficulties in their childhood, including emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Rather than use the term ‘perpetrator’ a better term to use would be ‘young person causing
harm’. Young people causing harm have the capacity to change and shouldn’t be defined by
an episode of abusive behaviour. Practitioners should have ongoing conversations with them
about what a healthy relationship looks like and challenge stereotypes.
Research indicates that young people are more dismissive of IPVA than adults and often see
it as ‘part and parcel’ of having a partner. In 2020 in Leeds, 18,372 incidents of domestic
abuse were reported to the Police; 211 of these involved 16 and 17 year olds in relationships
or who were ex partners. SafeLives research finds that 67% of teenagers receiving adult
domestic violence services are experiencing strangulation (often promoted in porn and
frequently copied without the partner’s consent), rape, broken bones and stalking (now an
offence under the Stalking Protection Action 2019 and can be significantly more violent with
young people).
Practitioners should avoid making the assumption that age automatically makes a young
person more resilient and less likely to suffer harm. Practitioners should also be aware of the
possible long term impact of interpersonal violence and abuse. All children and young people
under the age of 18 years experiencing violence or abuse are likely to be at risk of significant
harm and usual safeguarding procedures apply.
Which young people are affected by IPVA?
IPVA can any affect any young people regardless of age, gender identification, sexual
orientation, race, religion or disability. However some young people are more vulnerable to
IPVA victimisation and instigation including those who:
- have a history of running away from home or care;
- are in care or are care leavers;
- have disengaged from education, employment or training;
- are sexually exploited;
- are users of drugs and alcohol;
- have a history of domestic abuse in their families;
- young people involved in gangs, offending or anti-social behaviour;
- young people who live independently, with limited or no support;
- were neglected in childhood or received punitive parenting; and
- young parents or pregnant young people.
What are examples of IPVA and what are the signs?
Examples of IPVA in young people’s relationships include: physical - throwing objects, hitting,
slapping, and pulling hair; sexual - making someone do sexual acts they don’t want to;
emotional - telling someone how to dress, how to do make up, putting pressure on them to send
nude photos (guide); financial - controlling someone’s money, taking their benefits, allowance or
wages; and abuse through technology - harassing or stalking someone through the internet or
phone such as tracking their location or sharing pictures of them online without their consent.
Practitioners need to recognise signs which indicate emotional and behavioural changes in young
people and may indicate IPVA such as: becoming more self-critical – e.g. having no self-belief in
how they look , dress or act; giving up their own opinions – thinking their partner is always
right; problems eating or sleeping or having headaches; seeming to be scared of their partner’s
reactions; becoming more isolated - seeing less of their families and friends and stopping going
to school or college; and physical signs of harm such as bruising and scratches. Practitioners
should look out for signs of coercive control, for post-relationship violence and for child sexual
exploitation.
What should practitioners do?
Young people are more likely to disclose IPVA where they have a trusting and open
relationship with a worker. Practitioners should have ongoing conversations about what a
healthy relationship looks like.
Where IPVA is disclosed or a practitioner identifies it is happening, it should be discussed with
the young person away from the young person causing harm. If it appears that a young
person is being harmed in this way, the practitioner should discuss the concerns with their
agency safeguarding lead, and with the MARAC Coordinator (see below). A recommendation
may be to refer the case to the Daily Domestic Violence Meeting. This may result in a referral
to Children’s Social Work Service. Where the young person under the age of 18 is identified at
risk of significant harm, a contact should be made to Duty and Advice Team who will provide
advice on the next course of action including whether a referral to Children’s Social Work
Service is needed and if there might be a need for the young person to become subject to a
child protection plan. If a young person causing harm is displaying harmful sexual behaviours,
contact should be made with Duty and Advice Team.
In addition, specialist trained domestic violence practitioners such as Independent Domestic
Violence Advocates could develop safety plans with young people to inform their overall plan
(Early Help plan, Child in Need plan, Child Protection plan, Children looked after care plan or
Pathway plan). Safety plans focus on risks the young person is facing, their physical and
emotional needs and equipping them to make choices that may keep them from serious harm.
Key contacts or for more information
If it is believed that a young person under the age of 18 is at risk of significant harm,
practitioners can contact Duty and Advice tel: 0113 3760336 and out of hours tel: 0113 3760469.
Members of the public can ring the Contact Centre on tel: 0113 2224403.
The MARAC Coordinator can be contacted at leedsmarac@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Further information is available on the SafeLives webpage, Spotlight #3 – Young People and
domestic abuse. You can also find out more from the Women’s Aid webpage ‘the Hideout’ young
people’s page about domestic abuse and the government campaign ‘Disrespect Nobody’ is
available from here.
The Leeds Domestic Violence and Abuse website is available from here and there is a range of
other One Minute Guides available on the subject of domestic violence and abuse.
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