The scale, nature and impact of young partner domestic abuse in UK secondary schools

Amidst the current Covid-19 global pandemic, there is seemingly a 'shadow pandemic' emerging in the United Kingdom (UK). This pandemic pertains to a phenomenon commonly known in academia as teen dating violence. While there are several studies in the U.S. investigating teen dating violence in schools (O Keefe, 2005; Brustin, 2003; Debnam, 2021), scant attention has been provided to the issue in the U.K. The U.K. equivalent of teen dating violence, Young Partner Domestic Abuse (hereafter, YPDA) is similar in definition to teen dating violence, however has been expanded to "encompass threats, emotional abuse, coercion and controlling behaviours, physical violence and coerced, non consensual or abusive sexual activities perpetrated by a current or former casual or steady partner" (Young et al, 2018: 738). In 2015, 12.6% of young women aged 16-19 had suffered from domestic abuse. This rate has risen to 14% as of March 2020 (ONS 2015, ONS 2020). Political and media coverage and analysis of this abuse is lacking. Moreover, few academic studies have been published that explore YPDA in the U.K. In seeking to address this research gap, this project will use a mixed methods approach to investigate the nature, scale and impact of the YPDA that is occurring in the UK, and forward a series of real-world policy and practice recommendations with the aim of reducing its occurrence.