Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussion her Department has had with relevant stakeholders in the North East on legislative changes to recognise that under 16s can be victims of domestic abuse.

Teenage relationship abuse can have devastating consequences, and we must never shy away from the reality of the harm it causes.

We are carrying out a scoping review of the legal framework for domestic abuse, which includes reviewing whether the age limit in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 should be changed to capture adolescent relationships. Alongside this, we are considering every option to tackle abuse in teenage relationships, including prevention and support for victims.

We have greatly appreciated the support and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders nationally, including in the North East, as we take forward the important work to tackle this harm which affects too many young people.

The upcoming VAWG Strategy will have more detail on the steps we are taking to respond to teenage relationship abuse.

The Minister has met with campaigners on this subject in the Hon. Friend’s constituency of Hexham.