Over half of Italian teenagers who
are in relationships, 52%, say that they have experienced some
form of abusive or violent behaviour at least once, according to
a survey by Save the Children Italia and the Ipsos
market-research body released ahead of Valentine's Day.
It said this conduct included being called insistently by one's
girlfriend or boyfriend to find out where you are (34%); being
subjected to violent language, with shouting and insults (29%);
being blackmailed into doing something (23%); being insistently
asked for intimate photos (20%); being frightened by violent
behaviour, such as slapping, punching, pushing, throwing
objects, 19%; and sharing intimate photos with others without
consent (15%).
It said that 47% of the teens surveyed reported that they have,
at least once, displayed an example of this behaviours with
their partner.
Save the Children has launched a social-media campaign against
gender-based violence in adolescence with the hashtag
#callalaviolence for Valentine's Day.
Gender-based violence is a major issue in Italy following a long
series of femicides, including the murder of 22-year-old student
Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend last year in a case that
shocked the nation.
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