Adolescents with experience of violence have a higher risk of self-harm

Main Findings

• Over half (53%) of the adolescents with documented experience of violence had deliberately harmed themselves.
• One in three had done so ten times or more.
• Girls reported self-harm more often than boys, but the boys started earlier.
• The risk of self-harm increased with the number of types of violence one had been exposed to, and was highest among those with family members who had also harmed themselves.

Summary

The study is based on self-reported data from 308 adolescents with confirmed experience of violence and abuse. Over half had deliberately harmed themselves, a proportion that is far higher than in the general adolescent population. The risk was particularly high among those who had been exposed to multiple forms of violence. Self-harm occurred across different types of violence, including emotional abuse and neglect. Adolescents with family members who have harmed themselves or attempted suicide were especially vulnerable. The findings underscore the need for systematic assessment and comprehensive follow-up of self-harm among adolescents with experience of violence, and the importance of including a family perspective.

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