A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help teenagers avoid abusive relationships and better deal with domestic abuse.

The CRUSH project, which has been developed by West Mercia Women’s Aid, was officially launched at Hindlip Hall, in Worcester.

The programme, funded by the Big Lottery’s Young People’s Fund, will help youngsters aged 13 to 19.

Young people will learn through the experiences of fictional characters that they create and guide through a number of typical teenage scenarios, culminating in how to deal with an abusive relationship.

Jan Frances, chief executive of West Mercia Women’s Aid, said: “The statistics surrounding sexual abuse, intimidation and violence in teenage intimate relationships are frightening. Both nationally and locally we are hopeful that this situation can change.

“Locally, CRUSH will provide teenagers with emotional and practical knowledge to recognise and deal with and successfully move on from abusive relationships.”

The Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse is supporting the project.

Strategic co-ordinator Ros Walker said: “We now know that a significant number of teenagers suffer some form of abuse in their dating relationships. This is why we welcome and support CRUSH and will work with Women’s Aid to ensure that it is effective.”

For more information about CRUSH, call West Mercia Women’s Aid on 01432 356146 visit worcestershire.gov.uk/wfada or call Ros Walker on 01905 822357.