Violent teenage boys 'hit their girlfriends'

 

Last updated at 11:55am on 20th November 2006

 

 

 

More than four out of 10 young people know girls who have been assaulted by their boyfriends, a survey revealed today.

Almost the same number of girls had been pressurised into having sex.

The ICM Research survey for Amnesty International's End Violence Against Women campaign polled more than 500 people aged 16 to 20 across the UK.

It found 26 per cent knew one girl who had been hit by her boyfriend, 15 per cent knew a "few" girls who had been hit and 1 per cent knew "a lot" - a total of 42 per cent.

In all, 40 per cent knew a girl who had been coerced into having sex.

A significant number of young people's views appeared to condone sexual violence.

The poll found 27 per cent thought it was acceptable for a boy to expect to have sex with a girl if she had been "very flirtatious".

One in 12 (8 per cent) also believed a boy should expect to have sex if he had spent a lot of time and money on a girl. And 11 per cent believed it was OK if sexual activity had been initiated and the male was "really turned on".

Chairwoman of the campaign Liz Kelly said: "It is distressing that violence against women is not only widespread, but in young people's lives so directly.

"We're calling for a major effort from the Government to combat endemic levels of violence against girls and women in this country."

She added: "The survey shows that in addition to being exposed to violence against women, a sizeable minority of young people harbour attitudes that condone it, especially coercive sex."

Chavs!