Dating and relationship violence among 16–19 year olds in England and Wales: a cross-sectional study of victimization

Abstract

Background Dating and relationship violence (DRV) is under-researched in the UK, especially among Further Education (FE) students.This study examines the association between DRV victimization and socio-demographic characteristics, sexual identity and dating and relationship behaviours among 16-19 year olds FE students.Methods Cross-sectional self-report data were collected from 1751 students aged 16-19 at six FE settings in England and Wales.Factor analysis examined the structure of DRV victimization by gender.Multilevel logistic regression examined the odds ratios of DRV victimization according to socio-demographics, sexual identity and dating behaviours.Results DRV victimization clusters into two categories for females, and three for males.Among females, 46.1% experienced controlling behaviours and 31.6%threatening behaviours; 49.9% of males experienced controlling behaviours, 27.1% threatening behaviours and 5.8% online sexual violence.The odds of DRV victimization were 2-8 times greater for males and 2-4 times greater for females who had ever sent a sexually explicit image.No consistent association was found between DRV and age, spending money per week, educational attainment or meeting partners online. ConclusionsThe high prevalence, absence of gender differences and social patterning, suggests DRV victimization may be becoming normalized and is of significant public health importance for young people in England and Wales. Keywords young people, educational settings, violenceDating and relationship violence (DRV) encompasses threats, emotional abuse, coercion and controlling behaviours, physical violence, and coerced, non-consensual or abusive sexual activities perpetrated by a current or former casual or steady partner.1,2 Globally, 10-50% of women report violence from current or previous partners, 3 with adolescence a particular risk period.4 Cross-sectional studies in the USA and UK indicate that DRV victimization is typically higher among young women than men.5,6 In England, a recent survey of 14-17 year olds found 66-75% of young women reported DRV victimization, compared to 32-50% of young men.5,7 In a cross-sectional UK study of almost 1500 13-16 year olds, 25% of females reported that a partner had pushed, slapped, hit or held them down on one or more occasions, and 11% of females had been punched, strangled beaten up or hit with an object one or more times.7 Early DRV victimization is associated with substance misuse, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage Honor Young, Lecturer at

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