A five-week police campaign has been launched to highlight domestic abuse among young people.

Cambs Police will use social media, including Facebook advertising, to raise awareness of the types of abuse young people can suffer and the help and support available.

By the age of 16, 31 per cent of young women and 18 per cent of young men have experienced some form of domestic abuse, with victims as young as 13-years-old.

A Cambs Police spokesman said: “This campaign is aimed at raising awareness among young people, letting them know that there is help available.

“Abuse can take place in lots of different ways; some of the most horrific abuse does not necessarily leave visible scars. “That can be very difficult for those suffering that abuse to feel believed or come to terms with the fact that what is happening to them is very wrong.

“Aside from physical abuse, we support victims who have suffered stalking, harassment, threats, extremely controlling behaviour and humiliation. Sexual abuse, not surprisingly, is often the most painful form of abuse to disclose.

“Our aim is to support young people at all stages of an abusive relationship, but also in the early stages of abuse before those behaviours become accepted and normalised within intimate relationships.

“Also, we want to prevent the abuse escalating into something more serious and life threatening.

“Our message to anyone who thinks they may be in an abusive relationship is – don’t suffer in silence.”

If young people do not feel comfortable sharing concerns with police, they can speak to their GP, a health worker, youth worker, School/college tutor or call a 24 hour helpline.

For support and advice:

Sexting in schools: advice and support around self-generated messages what to do and how to handle it - info@compasscommunity.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Police - 101

National Domestic Violence Help-line – 0808 2000 247

Child line – 0800 11 11

NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk

This is abuse – www.thisisabuse.org

Centre 33 can offer free advice and counselling to young people who are victims of DA- tel. 01223 316488 or www.centre33.org.uk

Cambridge Women’s Aid Outreach Service and floating support- Tel. 01223 361214 or e-mail refuge@cambridgewa.org.uk

Cambridge Rape Crisis- Offers support for woman and girls who have experienced sexual abuse of any kind. Tel. 01223 245888 (Wednesday- 7pm-9.30pm, Saturday- 3pm-5.30pm and Sunday- 10am-12.30pm or www.cambridgerapecrisis.co.uk

Refuge.org Hunts, East Cambs and Fenland Outreach- offers support and advice to young people who are victims of domestic abuse - Tel. 07584233474