Record numbers of young people calling the Somerset Domestic Abuse Service
The County Council say the stats are positive, as more young people are coming forward to share their concerns
Somerset County Council have revealed their latest stats for people using their Domestic Abuse Service.
They say the Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (SIDAS) helpline has taken 300 calls from 16 to 20-year-olds since April 2021.
That's nearly three times higher than the year before - when 128 people got in touch with the service.
Councillor Adam Dance, Somerset County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity, said: “Young people can witness or experience many types of domestic abuse and the likelihood of experiencing high severity abuse is no different to adults.
“I am pleased to see an increase in young people coming forward for support when they have concerns that they are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship or think they know someone who may be. Support is non-judgemental and free through our service and I would encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch with SIDAS.
"Domestic abuse, be it physical or non-physical is wrong. If someone is hurting you or making you do something you don’t want to, you do not have to put up with it – help is always available.”
Young people in abusive relationships often experience partners who:
- Constantly check their phone and/or emails without permission
- Put them down in front of others or to their face
- Try to stop them seeing family and friends
- Have mood swings and explosive temper
- Are possessive or is extremely jealous
- Makes false accusations
- Asks them to take part in ‘sexting’
- Makes them have sex without consent
- Makes them watch pornography or films them having sex
- Tells them what they can/can’t wear, where they can/can’t go
- Physically hurts them in any way
- Tells them they will hurt themselves/someone else if they don’t do something
Proportionally, young people experience the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group - with it being estimated that 1 in 5 children are exposed to some form of domestic abuse.
Any relationship that does not make someone feel good is an unhealthy relationship.
For young people demonstrating harmful behaviour, and for those they are harming, help and support is available at the Somerset Survivors website or by calling 0800 69 49 999. www.somersetsurvivors.org.uk or call 0800 69 49 999 to know more.
In an emergency, call the police on 999. If you can’t speak, listen to the question and then tap or cough to answer.
Press 55 to signal an emergency.