Significant increase in abusive adolescent relationships - with specialists highlighting warning signals to identify

Rising Domestic Abuse Among Young People in the UK: A Call for Urgent Action

A concerning trend has emerged in the UK, with a significant increase in domestic abuse incidents among individuals aged 16-25. Psychological abuse, coercive control, and physical violence, including strangulation, are on the rise, according to statistics from 2024-2025.

Psychological abuse is a prevalent issue, affecting 73% of young survivors receiving longer-term support. Coercive control, designed to isolate and manipulate, is a common tactic used by perpetrators. Shockingly, 49% of those abused reported threats to harm, and 35% threats to kill, both increases from previous years. Physical abuse was reported by 62% of victims, with half reporting strangulation or suffocation, a 9% rise, which is particularly dangerous and a predictor of future domestic homicide.

This rise in domestic abuse is linked to troubling cultural factors, including the normalization of violent acts through pornography, as noted by the Independent Porn Review.

The severity and psychological aspects among young people appear to be rising, according to specialist support services data, while official crime statistics for England and Wales show a slight decrease in police-recorded domestic abuse-related offences.

In response to these alarming statistics, there have been calls for urgent reform and improvement in domestic abuse education within schools to address coercive control and psychological abuse early. New criminal law amendments have been proposed, making depictions of dangerous acts like strangulation in pornography illegal, alongside updated sentencing guidelines for such offences.

In addition, the availability of helplines and specialist support services for young victims has increased, and early intervention efforts are being made to target misogynistic behaviors and educate children as young as nine about respect and healthy relationships. This aims to prevent the escalation of abuse.

Charity Tender, which has been running workshops on healthy relationships in primary and secondary schools and colleges for over 20 years, is at the forefront of these efforts.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted policies and education to protect young people from all forms of domestic abuse in the UK. Without effective prevention education, the repercussions for under 25s could be astronomical. Teachers are struggling to broach these topics with students and create a safe space for discussions in an age-appropriate way.

The fight against domestic abuse among young people is a critical issue that requires immediate attention and action. By addressing the root causes and providing the necessary resources and education, we can work towards a future where all young people can live free from fear and violence.

[1] Domestic Abuse Education in Schools: Calls for Reform and Improvement (2025) [2] The Rise of Domestic Abuse Among Young People in the UK (2025) [3] Independent Porn Review (2024) [4] Police-Recorded Domestic Abuse-Related Offences in England and Wales (2025) [5] Specialist Support Services Data on Domestic Abuse Among Young People (2025)