CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY TO STOP DOMESTIC ABUSE

A new campaign’s underway in Peterborough to draw attention to the issue of domestic abuse so make sure you wear your white ribbon with pride!

If  you have a teenage daughter or son at home and they’re in a relationship would they recognise the signs of an abusive relationship? Perhaps you’re  a young person yourself and don’t realise the way your partner treats you is wrong – and it’s not purely about the physical stuff.

While we might think teenagers aren’t affected by domestic abuse, the truth is that it does occur in teenage relationships. Teenagers who are experiencing abuse can often view it as something to put up with, or will normalise the issue, telling themselves that ‘it’s just the way things are – everyone else is doing it’ or ‘it’s ok’.

If you are in a relationship and feel scared or pressurised into doing things you don’t want then this is not okay whatever your sex or your age. If you feel uncomfortable or unhappy and uncertain about what is happening then it may be an abusive relationship.

Abusive behaviour may include some or all of these:

1. Physical abuse: Actions that hurt the outside of the body like; pushing, slapping,  punching or kicking.

2. Sexual abuse: Actions that effect people intimately like; being forced or pressurised into sex or sexual behaviour that you are not comfortable with.

3. Financial abuse: Actions that effect your money and finance like; taking money, using your mobile phone without permission, stealing from you, making you pay for everything and not giving you access to your           own money.

4. Emotional abuse: Actions that effect how you think or how you feel, like; intimidating, scaring, putting down, checking up on you constantly or name calling.

Everybody deserves to have a healthy relationship with love, trust, good communication, shared interests, sex with consent, privacy, fun, laughter, loyalty, compliments, compromise and equality.

This year in Peterborough the campaign focuses on raising awareness of domestic abuse amongst young people. You can show your support by wearing a white ribbon during Domestic Abuse Awareness Fortnight from now until December 9.

The campaign is raising awareness of domestic abuse with teenagers, asking them to think about how their actions could affect the victim and their families, and what they can do to stop domestic abuse happening. Teenage domestic abuse can impact any teenager, whether it is happening to them or one of their friends.

White ribbons can be purchased from the reception areas of the Town Hall on Bridge Street or Bayard Place on Broadway. All donations go to Peterborough Women’s Aid who provide help and support to men and women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Visit www.respectnotfear.co.uk  and if you need advice or support for domestic abuse in Peterborough call (01733) 894455 or go to www.saferpeterborough.org.uk