‘Epidemic’ of violent abuse among young

Many young people are suffering physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their peers, research suggests.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2011, 07:00 BST

These attacks often included the use of a weapon, or ended with victims sustaining injuries.

Beatbullying, which conducted the research, called for immediate action to tackle the “epidemic” saying bullying has moved a long way from “playground name calling.”

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The study, which questioned 1,001 16 to 25-year-olds found that three in 10 (30 per cent) had experienced some form of severe physical violence by their peers.

Over half had been attacked at school, with others reporting abuse in the community or on public transport, or at home.

More than half (52 per cent) said they sustained physical injuries in the attack.

One in six (15 per cent) of those questioned said they had experienced some form of inappropriate sexual behaviour at the hands of another child.