One in five girls aged 16 to 19 in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse, according to estimates, as police warn that not enough is being done to tackle misogyny among young boys and the influence of toxic online content.
Louisa Rolfe, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for domestic abuse, told the House of Lords that there are "nowhere near enough" schemes addressing misogyny in schools and the impact of online influences. She said: "By the time it gets to us, often the harm is done."
The Office for National Statistics found that 16- to 24-year-olds represent the largest share of domestic abuse victims, with teenage relationships the fastest-growing category. However, Rolfe noted that the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 does not cover under-16s, who are the "fastest-growing group of victims".
Helen Millichap, national policing lead for violence against women and girls, said the legal definition of abuse struggles with the "digital age", as many harmful relationships are conducted online. She said responses must be "meaningful and effective" regardless of whether the relationship meets the act's definition.
Refuge reported that among 842 victims aged 16-25 supported last year, 73% experienced psychological abuse and 60% coercive control. Meanwhile, Harriet Wistrich of the Centre for Women’s Justice warned that insecure immigration status leaves migrant women vulnerable to abuse, as fears of immigration enforcement deter reporting.
