Advice on spotting “abusive or coercive” relationships has been given to young people.

Sessions for 11 to 16-year-olds on healthy relationships have been set up and supported by Herts Young Homeless charity alongside Watford Community Housing.

The scheme is called “Your voice, your choice”.

The decision to provide advice and “learning sessions” came from “new and worrying” trends of young people using services at the homeless charity, Watford Community Housing said.

Sessions taught young people and parents how to identify different types of abuse, the “signs and symptoms” of abusive or coercive behaviour, and how to stay safe in a relationship.

People were also given information on the long-term impact of “sexting”.

Watford Community Housing said “100 per cent” of young people who attended can now identify an unhealthy relationship and can name at least one service they can go to for help.

They added, all young people who attended received a certificate, free pizza and a £10 Amazon voucher.

Sarah Manzie, education service facilitator for Herts Young Homeless, said: “I’m really pleased we were able to deliver these sessions for adults and teenagers in Watford.

“By giving young people the chance to openly discuss these topics on their terms, we can encourage healthy relationships and, in the long term, go some way to preventing youth homelessness.

“I’d like to thank Watford Community Housing for their commitment to helping young people and for all their support in bringing these sessions to life.”

Feedback from the sessions revealed “100 per cent” of young people thought the advice was “helpful”.

For more information about Herts Young Homeless, go to www.hyh.org.uk