Violence is common in young people's intimate relationships

Lack of knowledge

Violence by boys against girls, and violence in young people’s relationships, is widespread. Despite this, there are major knowledge gaps and relatively little research in the area. In a new report released today by the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, existing research is presented, based on three research studies and one mapping report.

“What we’re seeing is that girls and non-binary individuals are subjected to intimate partner violence to a greater extent than boys. Sexual violence is four times more common among girls and non-binary individuals compared to boys. Young people with neurodevelopmental conditions are also more likely to be subjected to violence,” says Kajsa Björnestedt, investigator at the Gender Equality Agency and author of the report.

Overlapping forms of violence

For young people who have been exposed to violence by adults, the risk of experiencing violence in their own intimate relationships is higher. Similarly, young people with parents who struggle with alcohol or drug misuse are at increased risk of partner violence.

The general exposure to violence is also higher among young people—particularly girls—who live under family or societal expectations of remaining virgins. Girls facing such expectations are subjected to more severe and systematic physical violence than boys, and more so than other girls and non-binary individuals.

“Different forms of violence tend to overlap. It’s therefore important to draw these parallels and understand the full complexity of the violence. That’s how we can make violence prevention work as effective as possible,” says Mikael Thörn, Head of Unit at the Gender Equality Agency.

Lethal Partner Violence

One conclusion from one of the research reports is that young people are subjected to fatal partner violence at rates similar to those of adults. In almost all cases—97 percent—it is boys and men who kill girls and young women. Sixteen percent of all fatal partner violence in Sweden is committed against individuals under the age of 26.

“It’s also clear that fatal violence against women in intimate relationships has decreased over time, between 1990 and 2017. However, this trend does not apply to girls and young women,” says Kajsa Björnestedt.

The Way Forward

To strengthen overarching and preventative efforts against boys’ violence towards girls and violence in young people’s relationships, the Gender Equality Agency proposes a range of measures in the report. Among other things, it recommends that the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) develop targeted interventions for young people affected by or perpetrating violence, through social services, youth clinics, and student health services.

Services that provide information, support, protection, and treatment for intimate partner violence are also recommended to ensure their interventions are accessible to young people who are victims or perpetrators of violence, as well as to their close relations.

On 9 April, the revised support material “Jealousy Isn’t Romantic – Talking to Young People About Healthy Relationships, Boys’ Violence Against Girls, and Violence in Young People’s Intimate Relationships” will also be launched.

“With the revision, we’ve taken a comprehensive approach and updated the material with foundational knowledge and preparation for adults engaging in conversations with young people. We’ve also added more themes and exercises for youth. The material now includes an in-depth section for schools and student health services, as well as for parents, guardians, and other key adults,” says Mikael Thörn.

Read more

Report: To see, to act and to change (In Swedish)