As reported by the BBC, concerns about abuse in teenage relationships are prompting a major new research project, with experts warning that harmful behaviours among under-16s remain poorly understood and often go unrecorded
The study, funded through the Police STAR Fund, will analyse 10 years of data in an effort to uncover the scale of abuse experienced by younger teenagers and identify patterns that have previously been missed.
The project was initiated by Ruth Weir of City St George’s, University of London and Katy Barrow-Grint, Deputy Chief Constable, who said they became concerned by the lack of evidence available on abuse involving children under the age of 16.
According to the researchers, one reason for the gap is that under-16s are excluded from the statutory definition of domestic abuse, making it harder to track the issue through existing systems.
Weir said there was increasing concern that online content was shaping young people’s understanding of relationships, arguing that extreme pornography had become normalised and was influencing behaviour among some teenagers.
Previous research from the Children’s Commissioner for England found that 27% of 11-year-olds had been exposed to pornography, while a 2025 survey by the Youth Endowment Fund reported that nearly four in 10 young people aged 13 to 17 had experienced physical or emotional abuse in a relationship.
Researchers say the evidence gathered will be used to develop practical tools for teachers, police and other professionals, helping them identify risks earlier and provide more effective support to vulnerable young people.
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