TOXIC social media influencers are driving a rise in domestic abuse among teenagers, police warn.
They include the likes of self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate — who is awaiting trial on allegations including rape and human trafficking.
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Toxic social media influencers, such as Andrew Tate, are driving a rise in domestic abuse among teenagers, police warn Credit: AP
He alone has more than ten million followers on X and has previously said women should “bear responsibility” for sexual assault.
Access to violent porn, especially involving strangulation, is also being blamed.
According to the latest annual Crime Survey for England and Wales, 18.2 per cent of those aged 16 to 19 were victims of domestic abuse — higher than the rate for those aged 25 and older.
The Domestic Homicide Project recorded 1,452 deaths linked to abuse since 2020, with 347 in the year to March 2025.
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More than a third were suicides.
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, national policing lead for domestic abuse, said: “We see the connection between toxic influencers online and their views about women.
“Policing, alongside all other agencies, must recognise this and do everything possible to stop abusive behaviour, bring offenders to justice and better protect victims.”
Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said: “The police must check for a history of domestic abuse and properly investigate when an unexpected death occurs.
“And all agencies need to work more closely together, share information and be better trained to spot patterns of escalating behaviour.”
Because abusive relationships between under-16s is legally defined as child abuse rather than domestic abuse, statistics for younger age groups are largely unknown.
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “We’re deploying the full power of the state to crack down on these vile crimes.”
