Safety unit backs teenage abuse campaign (From Watford Observer)

Hertfordshire’s County Community Safety Unit backs teenage abuse campaign

10:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

A safety team in Hertfordshire is backing a national campaign to raise awareness of teenage relationship abuse just in time for Valentine’s Day.

The This is Abuse campaign is fully supported by Hertfordshire’s County Community Safety Unit, which aims to prevent teenagers from becoming victims of abusive relationships.

This comes after a campaign called True Love? was launched, which encouraged teenagers from across Hertfordshire to write a script for radio adverts about teenage relationship abuse. The adverts were then broadcast on Jack FM from the end of 2012 into the New Year.

Detective Superintendent Mick Hanlon, who leads the County Community Safety Unit, said: "As well as educating young people about the warning signs of abuse, it’s also important to talk about issues like cyber abuse - threatening, teasing or abusing someone using social media, instant messaging, email or mobile phones.

For more information about the campaigns visit www.herts.police.uk/advice/true_love.aspx or http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/