A record number of Somerset young people have come forward to report domestic abuse.

The Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service helpline took 301 calls from people between the ages of 16 and 20 since April last year. This compares to just 128 calls the year previous, a three times increase.

Somerset County Council has said that proportionately young people experience the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group. An NSPCC report has found that around 1 in 5 children have been exposed to domestic abuse.

Councillor Adam Dance, Somerset County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity, said: “Young people can witness or experience many types of domestic abuse and the likelihood of experiencing high severity abuse is no different to adults.

He added: “I am pleased to see an increase in young people coming forward for support when they have concerns that they are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship or think they know someone who may be. Support is non-judgemental and free through our service and I would encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch with SIDAS. Domestic abuse, be it physical or non-physical is wrong. If someone is hurting you or making you do something you don’t want to, you do not have to put up with it – help is always available.”

The new findings come after the government awarded £17 million to programmes across England and Wales to support young victims of domestic assault earlier this year.

In January the Minister for Safeguarding, Sarah Dines, said: "The impact of domestic abuse is devastating and it is especially heartbreaking that children are being affected by this horrific crime. This is why we have invested additional funding into vital services supporting children who have been impacted."

In a statement Somerset County Council said: "For young people demonstrating harmful behaviour, and for those they are harming, help and support is available - visit www.somersetsurvivors.org.uk or call 0800 69 49 999 to know more."