SWINDON Women’s Aid will extend a programme educating youngsters about healthy relationships to youth groups and other agencies.

The news comes at the end of Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of the damage caused by abusive and violent relationships.

Swindon Woman’s Aid has been working to stop abusive relationships at their root by educating youngsters on what to look out for, what to avoid, and how to ensure their relationships stay healthy and happy.

Jo Heaven, the business development manager at Swindon Women’s Aid, said: “Eighty-one per cent of parents are in denial over young people’s relationship violence, and teenagers have to rely on their peers, former relationships or the media to find out what is a healthy relationship.

“Schools, colleges, social services and the police are making more and more referrals to us of cases of abusive relationships among teenagers, and everyone is beginning to realise that this is as much of an issue as domestic violence among adults.

“Swindon Women’s Aid has recognised this under reported problem and, through a grant from the Police And Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon in 2013, has been able to employ a dedicated young persons’ independent domestic violence adviser who works with the highest risk cases.

“We have also been delivering presentations to students in schools and colleges to highlight what a healthy relationship might look like.”

The young persons’ independent domestic violence advisers have already delivered presentations on healthy relationships to students at Nova Hreod School, Lydiard Park Academy and St Joseph’s Catholic College.

More than 600 youngsters in Years 9, 10 and 11 have benefited from the talks during the past year.

The charity also hosts fortnightly drop-in sessions at Swindon College and New College to raise awareness of relationship violence and give teenagers the opportunity to seek advice.

There are now plans in place to extend the programme to support more youngsters and prevent abusive relationships at the beginning.

Jo said: “The programme is now going to be rolled out to youth groups and other agencies that would benefit from training and support offered by the Healthy Relationships programmes, thereby turning off the tap to domestic violence transferring to yet another generation.”

  • If you are affected by domestic violence contact Swindon Women’s Aid on 01793 610610 or for more information or visit www.swindonwomensaid.org.
  • For more information on the Healthy Relationships programme contact Swindon Women’s Aid on 01793 864984.