1/4 children aged 6-15 have experienced abuse
25% of young women have experiences domestic abuse before the age of 16
28% of young women and girls aged between 17 and 22 have a mental health issue
40% of young women in custody have suffered violence at home.
49% of women in prison are identified as suffering from anxiety and depression.
75%-90% of girls in contact with the youth justice system may have experienced abuse from a family member or someone they trusted
74% started sexual relationships too early (average age 12)
91% believed that unhealthy/controlling relationships adversely impacted mental health.
82% of the women had their first sexual experience (of any kind) before the age of 16.
Facts about young women and girls in the criminal justice system:
1/4 children aged 6-15 have experienced abuse
25% of young women have experiences domestic abuse before the age of 16
28% of young women and girls aged between 17 and 22 have a mental health issue
40% of young women in custody have suffered violence at home.
49% of women in prison are identified as suffering from anxiety and depression.
75%-90% of girls in contact with the youth justice system may have experienced abuse from a family member or someone they trusted
65% experienced child sexual abuse
73% did not know enough about consent before starting sexual relationships
73% of the women began their first committed relationship before the age of 16.
74% started sexual relationships too early (average age 12)
91% believed that unhealthy/controlling relationships adversely impacted mental health.
82% of the women had their first sexual experience (of any kind) before the age of 16.
Facts about young women and girls in the criminal justice system:
1/4 children aged 6-15 have experienced abuse
25% of young women have experiences domestic abuse before the age of 16
28% of young women and girls aged between 17 and 22 have a mental health issue
40% of young women in custody have suffered violence at home.
49% of women in prison are identified as suffering from anxiety and depression.
75%-90% of girls in contact with the youth justice system may have experienced abuse from a family member or someone they trusted
Young women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse. There are few services that specifically address the unique needs of young women and girls meaning they feel unsupported and unheard when they experience domestic abuse.
With nowhere to turn for support, too many young women and girls are left traumatised by their experiences, and can go onto experience further harm, abuse, and exploitation, including being excluded from school or getting caught up in the criminal justice system.
Advance's work with young women and girls
Advance provides specialist support to families and children from 5 years old, and girls and young women from 13 to 24 years old affected by experiences of domestic abuse, through our co located Social Care Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates, working together with Children’s Services, as well as through our specialist Children & Young Women’s advocates.
Advance also supports women and young women aged 15 years old and over in contact or at risk of contact with the Criminal Justice System, who are often victims of abuse and violence themselves. This includes specialist support for young women and girls aged 15-24 delivered by Minerva Young Women’s Keyworkers.
Read more about our services:
Facts about young women and girls supported by Advance:
An Advance report, ‘A place to talk about relationships’ examined the social factors influencing early sexual relationships among young women who have been involved in the criminal justice system and the health impacts. The report found:
65% experienced child sexual abuse
73% did not know enough about consent before starting sexual relationships
73% of the women began their first committed relationship before the age of 16.
74% started sexual relationships too early (average age 12)
91% believed that unhealthy/controlling relationships adversely impacted mental health.
82% of the women had their first sexual experience (of any kind) before the age of 16.
Facts about young women and girls in the criminal justice system:
1/4 children aged 6-15 have experienced abuse
25% of young women have experiences domestic abuse before the age of 16
28% of young women and girls aged between 17 and 22 have a mental health issue
40% of young women in custody have suffered violence at home.
49% of women in prison are identified as suffering from anxiety and depression.
75%-90% of girls in contact with the youth justice system may have experienced abuse from a family member or someone they trusted