Young People & Domestic Abuse

AMIS can only support people aged 18 or older. Alternatively, please contact Childline.

Domestic abuse (also called partner or dating abuse) is a continuing pattern of abusive, or controlling coercive behaviour. This can include the use of intimidation and isolation, threatening, degrading, and/or violent behaviour. There are different types of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is common and can happen to anyone regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ethnic origin, dis/ability . It is possible to experience multiple different types of abuse and it is not limited to face to face contact. It can happen in real life and online.

Some common themes of domestic abuse include:

• Control and jealousy can be mis-read as love
• Can be intense and fast-moving
• There is a lack of experience to inform what is acceptable behaviour in a relationship
• The media/music world can negatively influence the perception of a positive relationship
• There is pressure among some peer groups to have sexual relationships
• Young people may not wish to confide in adults but this can be detrimental to their wellbeing

According to the Scottish Crime & Justice Survey 2014/15:

• 18.5% of women say they have experienced some form of partner abuse from the age of 16,
• 9.2% of men say they have experienced some form of partner abuse from the age of 16.

Safelives Data Collection Study (2012) found that of the young people experiencing domestic abuse;

• 76% were experiencing physical abuse
• 53% were experiencing harassment
• 22% were experiencing sexual abuse
• 27% had attended A & E for injuries
• 27% had self-harmed
• 21% had threatened attempted suicide

You don’t have to be another one of those statistics. If you are concerned that you may be in an abusive relationship, please talk to a trusted adult or friend who can help you.