About Us
We are Young Abuse Support (YAS), a Charitable Incorporated Organisation led by survivors of young partner abuse. Due to our personal experiences, we are uniquely qualified to offer support and training on young partner abuse to those who work with individuals between the ages of 13-21.
The largest age groups affected by domestic abuse are 16-19 and 20-24 (ONS,2020), yet these groups are the least likely to press charges or seek support. This is because young people do not have a safe space to seek this support. Without this, victims are less likely to leave their abusive partner, report the abuse, or deal with the trauma they have experienced. Many victims, including some of our team, did not even acknowledge it was abuse until it become severe or years later. Young people deserve better. We deserved better.
We offer a solution to this problem.
Our training is a way for secondary schools, colleges and wellbeing staff to be able to provide the support which is necessary for victim's immediate mental and physical health, as well as their safety. It is time we take partner abuse amongst young people as seriously as the long-term harrowing effects are for the victim. Through training, staff will know how to spot the signs of intimate partner abuse and if necessary, help the victim to realise their relationship isn't healthy. With our resources, school staff will know how to confidently respond to a young victim in a compassionate, professional and effective manner. Our training and resources have been developed by survivors, approved by professionals, for victims.
"When I was 15, I went to seek help from a school counsellor and I told her that me and my partner fought all the time and sometimes she would punish me for fighting back. I'll never forget her response. She told me 'young love can often be volatile, it is something you will both grow out of'. I stayed in that relationship for years waiting for it to change because no one told me the obvious. That I was a victim of abuse."
- Victim of young partner abuse
MEET THE TEAM
.png)
MOLLY LAWRENSON
Founder and CEO
I started Young Abuse Support because I want young people to have access to well-informed advice and support when they are struggling in their relationship, confused about consent, or have been subjected to abuse or sexual assault. For far too long, young victims of abuse and sexual assault have been ignored because of their age when in reality, abuse has nothing to do with age and every survivor deserves support in their darkest times. Young Abuse Support is an organisation who is fighting to make that a possibility.
JASMINE HANNAH
Head of Social Media
I became involved with Young Abuse Support because I believe it’s important to acknowledge that abuse can happen in any relationship of any age, and for young people to have resources and support that can help them heal.
SOPHIE DE GROOT
Chief Operational Officer
I am a PhD student at the University of Leeds studying how young people experience domestic violence. I joined YAS because I am passionate about educating young people on healthy relationships and consent, as well as ensuring marginalised young people have access to the quality of support they deserve, and feel doing this from a survivor led perspective is the best way to achieve these things.
ROXANNE STEEL
Campaigner
I draw from my own experience as a disabled woman, a diversity advocate and someone who is very passionate about getting others to view lives through an intersectional lens and the subject of abuse should be no different. I hope to help enable young people to they have the right to set boundaries with their body and regardless of who they are and feel able to speak up, as well as helping professionals in positions of power or support roles to recognise that abuse can happen to anyone at any time. I am proud to not only be able to amplify an amazing platform but be part of its creation and the ongoing support network that provides tools and support to any young person in need.
ELLA MAYBERRY
Campaigner
I joined YAS because it is crucial to acknowledge that abuse can happen to anyone, in any relationship, at any age. I believe it is important to educate young people on healthy relationship dynamics, giving them the tools and resources to spot unhealthy relationships and empower them to seek help and support if they believe they or their friends are experiencing relationship abuse.
Our Mission
We want to create safe spaces in UK schools and colleges for young victims to be able to seek advice and support if they are worried about their relationship, have been abused, or have been sexually assaulted.
This safe space will be free and accessible and we won't stop until every young person in the UK has access to this lifechanging and lifesaving support.
Our Vision
We want all young people to have somewhere to turn to if they are struggling with what is happening in their relationship, or a sexual trauma. Our hope is that every school and college in the UK will offer their students this safe space for their own safety and wellbeing.
Sadly, young partner abuse is common and too often, a hidden problem that young people are left to deal with alone. We want to eradicate that and give them access to support.