Over half of Italian teenagers who are in relationships, 52%, say that they have experienced some form of abusive or violent behavior at least once, according to a survey by Save the Children Italia and the Ipsosmarket-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 behavior, 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 behaviors with their partner.
Save the Children has launched a social-media campaign againstgender-based violence in adolescence with the hashtag#callalaviolence for Valentine's Day.
Gender-based violence is a major issue in Italy following a longseries of femicides, including the murder of 22-year-old studentGiulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend last year in a case that shocked the nation.
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