Factors Associated with the Perpetration of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse in Young People's Intimate Relationships

Abstract

This paper examines individual, peer and societal risk factors associated with young people’s instigation of physical, sexual and emotional (including through new technologies) abuse in their intimate relationships. The research involved a survey of 4,564 young people aged 14-17 across five European countries. Young people's advisory groups were convened in each country to work alongside the research teams. Across the sample approximately 20% of young people, irrespective of gender, stated they engaged in some form of emotional violence, 10% of girls and 6% of boys reported the use of physical violence and 20% of boys and 4% of girls reported using sexual violence (pressure and/or force). A range of intersecting risk factors, including wider experiences of violence and abuse, gendered attitudes and consumption of online pornography, were associated with the perpetration of intimate violence. Prevention and intervention programmes seeking to respond to violence in young people’s relationships need to develop effective strategies to address the interplay of these risk factors across children’s lives.