Four In Ten Schoolgirls Suffer Sexual Coercion

Teenage girls at English schools report suffering physical attacks, intimidation and emotional abuse from their boyfriends.

More than 40% of schoolgirls aged between 13 and 17 in England say they have been coerced into engaging in sexual activity, a study has found.

Most of the schoolgirls say they were pressured into having sex, although some also reported being raped.
The survey found many have also suffered physical attacks, intimidation and emotional abuse.

The study was carried out by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Central Lancashire, led by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

Researchers also carried out the study in Norway, Italy, Bulgaria and Cyprus.

It was the largest of its kind ever carried out in Europe.

It found that a high proportion of teenage boys regularly view pornography and one in five hold negative attitudes towards women.

Some 22% of schoolgirls reported suffering physical violence or intimidation from their boyfriends, including slapping, punching and strangling.

The NSPCC has called on the Government to help children learn about healthy relationships.

Claire Lilley, head of child safety online at the NSPCC, said: "The levels of victimisation revealed by this research shows action is urgently needed by the Government to make updated sex and relationship education a statutory right for every child and young person.

"There needs to be a greater focus in schools on topics such as sexual exploitation and violence against girls and young women, as part of a balanced curriculum.

"The high rates of sexual coercion discovered need to be addressed through education and awareness-raising that challenges attitudes and helps change behaviour.

"We need to nurture children to have positive relationships based on mutual respect."

source :http://news.sky.com/story/1425203/four-in-ten-schoolgirls-suffer-sexual-coercion