'I never had any lessons on what coercive control is'

Faustine Petron was trapped in an abusive relationship at just 16 now she is taking her campaign for change to No 10

- HOLLY EVANS

A young woman who survived an abusive relationship as a teenager has called for education on domestic abuse and coercive behaviour to be made mandatory for sixth-form and college students.

Faustine Petron was just 16 when she became trapped in a coercive relationship with a fellow college student. When her former partner eventually received a prison sentence for stalking and harassment, she found herself reflecting on the lack of education and resources available for teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18.

"Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is mandatory from primary until the end of secondary school, but when you turn 16 there's no longer any access to these lessons," she told The Independent. "It doesn't make sense to leave out that key group when the average age a person has their first sexual experience is 16. It's illogical."

Current compulsory sex education ends when pupils finish their GCSEs at the age of 16, despite data from the Office for National Statistics showing that boys and girls/women and men aged 16 to 19 were the most likely of any age group to experience domestic abuse.

The petition, which has been signed by more than 105,000 participants, has received cross-party support and was delivered to No 10 yesterday. Ms Petron recalls that her teenage boyfriend began exhibiting abusive behaviour by controlling her movements, which started with him constantly checking on her location.