Young love. High-school romance. The intensity of all-consuming teenage crush.
Feeling nostalgic? Don’t.
Because kids as young as 13 are bashing their girlfriends.
The terrifying issue of teenage boys physically attacking their equally-young partners has escalated so quickly that two of the state’s children’s courts have had to instate domestic violence counsellors for the first time.
Intimate partner violence between teenagers is increasing at a faster rate than amongst all other groups within our community.
Schoolgirls hiding bruises under their uniforms, lying to their parents. Once bold young women getting comfortable with fear and shame. Taking in lessons in how a boy who “likes them”, maybe even “loves them” is going to treat them. A cycle of abuse and neglect and violence kicking into motion before anyone can even vote.
“The fastest growing part of the problem of domestic violence is young people,” NSW Police assistant commissioner Mark Murdoch told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We are seeing more young people put before courts than we have ever seen.”
How can it be possible? After decades of education about domestic violence. After decades of feminism. Amid all the talk of the bubble-wrap generation, of helicopter parents and kids whose self-esteem is too damn high? How can it be possible after decades of campaigns and billboards and footballers going on white ribbon walks?
Top Comments
I don't condone domestic violence in any form. But I also do not condone rants that are designed to demonise men. Articles like this do nothing to empower women, It's merely click fodder for this website. - A four letter word is the reason that school girls are covering up bruises with their school uniforms? - BULLSHIT. I am an avid watcher of porn, and I masturbate. (apparently some other study shows that this is healthy) When I've finished, I dont turn off the computer and punch my girlfriend in the face. Why? Because that would be a dick move. I also know that you shouldn't punch people,unless you are protecting yourself or others. That's why I dont punch my girlfriend. Now, This article doesnt clearly define, When these apparent bruises are showing up? What are the statistics? Is this increasing at the same rate as population growth? Is this occuring in a specific race? Is sexual assault becomming more prevalent? Are "consentual" sex acts increasingly more physical in general across this age group? Are these non-sexual related injuries? Is sexual education failing our young people? Are these young women raising their hands against men? - If the article stated that "more people were being bitten by snakes" we would ask more questions,... not just mind numbingly take it as fact. There'd be be questions like How did it happen? were you poking it with a stick? ..... C'mon, this has gotta stop Bloggers! . Stop the scare mongering! If this stuff scares you, take personal accountability, teach your kids right from wrong, talk to them about sex, be parents.
yep, because the two experts in the article would know less about DV than you. Got it!
I don't understand why more is not being done at an official level to protect children. Porn used to be an opt-in commodity. Now it's worse than ever and opt-out.