Is it True Love? National teenage abuse campaign launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day

The government has relaunched its campaign about teenage relationship abuse just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The ‘This is Abuse’ campaign is fully supported by Hertfordshire’s County Community Safety Unit.
The national campaign aims to prevent teenagers from becoming victims and perpetrators of abusive relationships.
It follows on the heels of Hertfordshire’s ‘True Love?’ campaign which invited teenagers from across Hertfordshire to write a script for radio adverts about teenage relationship abuse. The adverts were then broadcast on Jack FM from the end of 2012 into the New Year.
Traditionally, domestic abuse campaigns are aimed at adults, but it isn’t just an adult issue – young people can be both victims and perpetrators.
According to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), growing numbers of young people are finding themselves in abusive relationships.The British Crime Survey states that teenagers are now more at risk of domestic abuse than any other age group. And if they are abused, they are unlikely to report it. Detective Superintendent Mick Hanlon, who heads up the County Community Safety Unit, says:  “As well as educating young people about the warning signs of abuse, it’s also important to talk about issues like cyber abuse – threatening, teasing or abusing someone using social media, instant messaging, email or mobile phones.
Offenders need to know that they may be committing a criminal offence and victims need to know there is support for them. We are really pleased to be able to support the government’s campaign and would also stress that we can provide information and support locally.”
Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd added: “Everyone should live their lives free from threats bullying or intimidation.  Those that are subject to this kind of behaviour should know that there is always help at hand whilst those that commit bad behaviour should know that they risk a criminal record.”