Violence and abuse in children and young people’s intimate relationships are frequently overlooked in research and policy, falling between child protection and Domestic Abuse policy. Focused work with young people with lived experience of harmful relationships is needed to ensure their voices are incorporated in research, policy and practice.

Too Soon Too Late: Young People’s Perspectives on Experience of Teenage Relationship Abuse and Professional Support, a study from VISION Research Fellows Polina Obolenskaya and Annie Bunce and colleagues, explores young people’s thoughts on experiences of violence and abuse in romantic relationships, including recognition, help-seeking, and professional support. The team draws on lived experience accounts of four young people aged 18-25 who experienced harm in their romantic relationships when aged 13-16 (via an online workshop).

This work was designed and co-produced by academics and a domestic abuse charity, SafeLives, as well as three young people from their ‘Changemakers’ network, some of whom had also experienced abuse, who facilitated the workshop.

The workshop transcript was coanalyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified:

1. violence and abuse in romantic relationships are not easily identifiable/recognizable in those aged 13-16, including among those who appear to be “doing well”;
2. there are inadequacies and inconsistencies in the professional response; and
3. earlier identification and more effective responses to harmful behaviors are crucial.

The study concludes that to improve recognition, identification, and responses to harm in teenage relationships, the following is required: adopting consistent and relatable terminology; empowering teachers to spot the signs of harm and strengthening communication between agencies; and tailoring responses to abuse among young people to their specific needs.

To download the article: Too Soon Too Late: Young People’s Perspectives on Experience of Teenage Relationship Abuse and Professional Support 

To cite: Obolenskaya, Polina and Bunce, Annie and Balachandran, Imi and Balachandran, Maya and Beat, Ellie and Waller, Kristie, Too Soon Too Late: Young People’s Perspectives on Experience of Teenage Relationship Abuse and Professional Support (October 06, 2026). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=7570859 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7570859

For further information: contact Polina at polina.obolenskaya@citystgeorges.ac.uk