The team helping dozens of battered wives and children in north Kent has been awarded £121,000 today to end violent teenage affairs.

North Kent Women's Aid has been given the cash by the Big Lottery Fund.

It will be used to fund a three year project to help young women in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley to enjoy healthy relationships.

Workshops are to be run in schools, colleges and youth centres after the aid team recognised that many of the children of abused mothers were now getting attacked in their teens by violent boy friends.

Sylvia Murray of North Kent Women’s Aid said: "Domestic violence is still a hidden issue within our society and even more so for teenagers as it is generally thought of as an adult issue. However, it is surprisingly prevalent, and teenagers experience domestic violence at the same level as adults."

Picture posed by actors.