School as a Context for Youth Intimate Partner Violence: Young Voices on Educational Sabotage

Abstract

This article focuses on the role of the school environment as a context of youth intimate partner violence. Results, derived from interviews and a survey, show that physical closeness to the abuser, control over victims’ appearance and behaviour, ostracism by peers, non-attendance, and lack of focus negatively affect academic achievement and well-being at school. Youths did not consider the school environment a sanctuary from violence but described how violence played out in school, even after the relationship ended. Furthermore, although respondents emphasised school as a suitable arena for violence prevention, few confided in school staff. The results support the need for school safety, violence prevention and cooperation with social services.