Women’s Aid launches teen domestic abuse awareness campaign

Women’s Aid has launched a national campaign to raise teenagers’ awareness of domestic violence.

The Expect Respect campaign will run on the charity’s youth website, The Hideout, in conjunction with teen magazine Bliss, and will feature real-life stories from teenagers who have experienced domestic violence.

It has been estimated that one in two boys, and one in three girls, think that there are certain circumstances where it is acceptable for a man to hit a woman or force her to have sex. A recent poll by retailer The Body Shop has also revealed a worrying tolerance of domestic abuse among young people.

Women’s Aid chief executive Nicola Harwin said she hoped the campaign would help reduce the incidence of domestic violence in the future. She added: “Domestic violence is often a very gradual process that forms a pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour, and it is vital that we educate young people about this and the importance of healthy relationships.”

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