The School nursing team in Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust is working in a very innovative way to raise awareness of domestic abuse in teenage relationships.Young people aged 15-24 are more at risk of domestic abuse than any other age group. Nearly one in ten have been physically abused by a partner or ex-partner in the last year. The definition of domestic abuse was changed in 2012 to incorporate 16 -18 year olds in recognition of this.
In partnership with the local domestic abuse coordinator, youth workers and teachers, the Public Health School Nursing Team has produced and delivered teaching sessions based upon national evidence-based interventions, such as the Expect Respect Toolkit and the Home Office Campaign. During these sessions delivered in secondary schools, young people are helped to recognise what defines relationship abuse as well as the importance of developing healthy relationships.
The sessions aim to help young people develop skills for the future and promote their confidence and self-esteem. Vulnerable young people may also be at risk of sexual exploitation and these sessions provide information to make young people aware of potential dangers to themselves and their friends. The sessions raise awareness of what constitutes a positive and a negative relationship as well as exploring power and control. They are well received and evaluated by young people, creating discussion and debate.
The school nursing team recognises that promoting healthy relationships with young people is crucial to public health. Young people need to be able to make safe choices about relationships and school nurses are key professionals to help them do this.
Teenage relationship abuse consists of the same patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour as domestic abuse. These patterns might include some or all of the following: sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse and psychological abuse. There is a lack of recognition of the seriousness of teenage relationships because they are more likely to be short-lived. This does not mean that they can’t be as abusive as adult relationships.
The school nursing team has worked with the domestic abuse co-ordinator for several years to develop and lead on initiatives to raise awareness of relationship abuse with young people. A working group has been developed to provide a locally focused approach to raising awareness of relationship abuse with young people, teachers and parents. Within this group new resources are examined and teaching plans developed, and events are planned and carried out for Domestic Abuse Awareness week in November.
These sessions are well received and evaluated by young people and teachers. The nurses know how to raise the question of domestic abuse with young people and what support and information is available to them locally, as well as nationally. This support can be via websites for young people such as www.thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk or local support groups, as well as continued support provided by the school nurse during weekly confidential drop in sessions in school.