In November last year, Logan MacPhail now 17, was handed a life sentence for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Holly Newton. Holly’s 18-month relationship was marked by coercive control, obsessive jealousy, and violence, culminating in her fatal stabbing.
In her impact statement, Holly’s mum said:
“Holly’s case has been labelled as knife crime but making sure that people know the truth about her case is one of my goals. I firmly believe that teenagers should be taught about healthy relationships in schools and domestic abuse services offered at a younger age, maybe then Holly would have recognised the red flags earlier and had access to other services that could have helped her.”
I believe that education in schools is a crucial part of the solution in addressing teenage domestic abuse.
As part of my mission with All Rise Workshops, I want to make sure our young people to recognise the signs of abusive relationships and what constitutes a healthy relationship.
I do this by looking at how the law addresses these issues. By adopting a legal approach, I am able to address subjects that can feel challenging, sensitive or taboo.
Currently, UK law does not classify abuse as domestic violence unless both parties are over 16. Cases involving under-16s are often categorised as general assault or child abuse with a response that focuses on child protection.
In its report published at the end of last year, the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) revealed the scale of the problem: 49% of teenagers aged 13-17 who have been in a relationship report experiencing violent or controlling behaviours. This includes 20% being pressured into sexual activity, 19% physically assaulted, and 17% having explicit images shared without consent.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has acknowledged the issue and has pledged to half violence against women and girls in a decade.
I believe that young victims should receive the same level of recognition and support as older victims. Teen relationships often involve coercive control, emotional manipulation, and possessiveness, which are hallmarks of domestic abuse.
By extending domestic abuse laws to under-16s, the legal system would acknowledge that abusive behaviours in teen relationships are not just “youthful mistakes” but serious issues requiring intervention. This would allow victims to access support services, it would serve as a stronger deterrent for perpetrators and could potentially prevent abuse from escalating into violence.
Holly’s story is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. By extending domestic abuse laws to under-16s and improving education, we can help to create a safer future for young people.
With our range of legal education workshops, All Rise Workshops are passionate about promoting safe and healthy interactions between young people, making sure young people know their boundaries and the boundaries of others, understand the harms of abusive behaviour and feel confident about speaking up.