'True Love?' campaign, 25 November - 10 December 2012

‘True Love?’ is a Hertfordshire County Community Safety Unit (CCSU) campaign aimed specifically at young people to raise awareness about relationship abuse. Every year, Hertfordshire supports the national Domestic Abuse Awareness campaign which this year falls between November 25 and December 10.

Traditionally, domestic abuse campaigns are aimed at adults, but it isn’t just an adult issue; young people can be both the victims and perpetrators.  This year, Hertfordshire is aiming its campaign at young people due to an increasing awareness of issues around teenage relationships including violence and exploitation - and emotional abuse using social media.

The CCSU is working in partnership with Hertfordshire commercial radio station Jack FM who will be broadcasting adverts that have been scripted by young people about relationship abuse.  They will be played during the national Domestic Abuse Awareness Campaign; make sure you tune in and listen out for these superb adverts.

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.

Young people receive a lot of misinformation from their peers and through popular culture, which can lead to a false view of what is acceptable behaviour.

• We want to encourage young people to re-think their views on assault, control, coercion and other types of physical and emotional abuse.
• We want to raise awareness of this ‘hidden’ crime and educate young people about abuse within intimate relationships and to help them gain support for any abuse they may be experiencing or witnessing between adults.
• We want to educate young people so they can recognise the warning signs of an abusive relationship and empower them to avoid, challenge and report physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

For more information download the Information Leaflet.

Useful Websites:

www.hertssunflower.org.uk

www.victimsupport.org.uk

Contact numbers:

Childline: 0800 1111

Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline: 08 088 088 088

Victim Support: 0845 456 5995