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Similar to the page for 12-15 year olds, the safety and crime issues which affect the lives of 16+ year old young people we see an overall increase in the number of risks and number of crimes committed against them. While it is important to note that the majority of young people are not victims of crime, the graph below shows that, from the age of 11/12 years old onwards, there is an increase in the number of ‘reported’ crimes committed against young people. (Data provided by Sussex Police for 2005-2006)
This increase is influenced by a number of factors, the most important being the change in the amount of independence gained from parents control and the significant changes in the social and lifestyle issues affecting the lives of young people. i.e. From the ages of 11/12 young people develop new friendships, become more independent, experience the wider world, begin to be influenced more by friend rather than parents and family and their behaviour becomes more influenced by changes in their hormones and emotions. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, and indeed these are an inevitable part of growing up and learning new skills, both young people and parents/carers need to be aware of the increase in risks. However, these influences increase for 16+ year olds compared with 12-15 year olds due to them reaching an age which is closer towards that of adult life. Key Safety Issues for 12-15 year olds
Bullying & Harassment Bullying and harassment can be serious issues in the lives of older young people. Due to the significant changes in lifestyle issues, social interaction and peer pressure experienced as they come closer towards adult life, young people in their late teens can often find themselves at the receiving end of bullying and harassment from other young people and adults. For more information see the ‘Bullying & Harassment’ page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Victims of Crime As the graph at the top of the page shows, the number of crimes committed against children and young people begin to increase from the ages of 11/12 onwards. Research shows that a approximately a half of these crimes are violent assaults and robberies. A third are thefts while the remainder include crimes such as harassment and victimization. For more information see the ‘Crime & Personal Safety' page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Rape & sexual assault Rape and sexual assault of young people is understandably a serious concern for any parent or carer. National research carried out by the NSPCC estimates that, by the age of 16, approximately 10% of young people, both girls and boys, are the survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. Even though the ‘reporting’ of these crimes can be very low, research shows that there is a similar pattern in the increase in the number of these crimes being committed as young people get older. This shows that the risks increase by age, especially for older teenagers, as young people’s lifestyles and social interactions change. While the majority of childhood sexual abuse, for under 12 year olds, are committed by someone the child knows, i.e. family members or family friends, the over 12 year olds are more likely to be at risk from a friend, acquaintance, someone they have just met or a stranger. For more information see the ‘Rape & Sexual assault’ page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Relationship Abuse From the age of 16 the law allows young people to become sexually active and have relationships with partners, even if they had been sexually active earlier, As young people develop their interest in relationships and start on the road of having boyfriends or girlfriends, they should become aware of the need for them to develop healthy and happy relationships. The idea that domestic abuse and violence only happens to adults is a myth and often young people can find themselves in potentially abusive and controlling relationships. To find out more about this see the ‘Relationship Abuse’ page on this website for more information. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Domestic Violence Both national and local research shows that witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse and violence can have a serious impact upon children and young people. It is clear that children become aware of domestic violence happening at an early age and experience a range of emotions, and can have a great impact upon their behaviour. In some cases domestic violence is linked to child abuse and the child themselves could be being physically or sexually abused. However, as research clearly shows, witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse itself should be considered emotional abuse of children. See the ‘Domestic Violence’ pages on this website for more information. The pages offer more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or violence these pages also include information about national and city wide support services which can offer help and advice. Hate Crimes As young people, from the ages of 11/12 onward, get older and begin to have more contact with other young people, older young people and adults, they are exposed to a variety of different beliefs and ideas. As such young people from BME communities or backgrounds and young people who may be LGBT can become the targets of abuse and harassment by others. For more information about hate crimes see the ‘Hate Crime’ page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Substance Misuse National research shows that by the age of 16 most young people have tried alcohol and drugs, but while this is a worry for all parents and carers, providing young people with information and education about these substances is one of the only ways in which the risks they may experience can be reduced. Drugs and especially alcohol play a significant role in violent crimes such as assault, robbery, rape and sexual assault. All these issues become increasingly relevant to young people as they begin to experiment with things associated with adult life. i.e. going to pubs and clubs. For more information about substances misuse see the ‘Substance Misuse’ page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Child Exploitation The exploitation of young people aged 16+ is very similar to those of 12-15 year olds. It involves the coercion, manipulation and/or forcing them to become sexually active through involvement in prostitution. At no point do young people willingly become involved in prostitution, but are rather forced into it by older young people, ‘boyfriends’ or adults who want to profit out of sexual abuse. Often the key risk factors for young people being exploited include substance misuse (drugs & alcohol), homelessness, poor family background (including being in the care system) and lack of emotional support in their early life. However, young people from all social and economic backgrounds and cultures can become involved in prostitution. For more information about the sexual exploitation of young people see the ‘Exploitation’ page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Accidents & Injury Accidents and injuries can happen in a variety of places, in the home, at school, at the beach, in public places such as parks or on the streets. For more information about road safety, accidents and injuries see the ‘Accidents & Injury’ pages on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. Teenagers going missing The biggest reason for young people aged 16+ going missing from home is due to them running away. Young people can run away for a variety of reasons from arguments at home through to them being survivors of abuse. However, young people dramatically increase their vulnerability by running away and increase the risks of them becoming the victims of crime, exploitation or abuse. For more information about children going missing see the ‘Children Missing from Home’ page on this website. The page offers more information, advice and details of services which can provide help and support. |
