We are supporting a new campaign from the Home Office which aims to prevent teenagers from becoming victims and perpetrators of abuse in relationships. ‘This Is Abuse’ helps teenagers to re-think their views on violence, abuse or controlling behaviour in relationships and directs them to places for help and advice.

Campaign objectives:
– To change attitudes about violence against women and girls, specially those who think the victim is often to blame for being abused, or that violence is a private matter.

– To change behaviour, to make victims feel confident to report abuse and to empower individuals, including men and boys, to play their part in tackling the issue.

The main message from the campaign and one echoed by WADA (Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse) is that abuse in a relationship is not normal or acceptable and should not be tolerated. Young people are reminded that the abuse is not their fault and they do not have to stand for it.

Abuse is not just physical violence, like punching or kicking, it can also be emotional, sexual or psychological. A threat of violence is also abuse. Having no say over how to dress or who to see or speak to, or constant criticise are all types of abuse. Abuse is never OK and there is never an excuse – blaming abuse on anger, jealousy, alcohol or the other person’s behaviour, is not acceptable.

We will be helping the campaign by sharing reminding young people about signs of abuse and helping them to access support if they are or in an abusive relationship or know someone who is.

The Campaign website offers lots of advice, and in Warwickshire, WADA services are available which provide someone to talk to and support to practical help to leave abusive relationships behind. Go to talk2someone  or the county council’s domestic abuse web pages for more information.