A survey of teenage attitudes towards relationships shows a "time bomb to domestic violence", a women's charity said today.
The research shows that one in 10 (12%) young people believe that, to some extent, if someone says sorry after they have hurt a girlfriend or boyfriend, or forced them to do something that they do not want to do, it makes it all right.
It also suggests that one in five (21%) teens think that it is acceptable to tell a girlfriend or boyfriend what to do - when they can and can't go out, for example - if there is a good reason.
This figure rises to one in four (27%) in teenage boys.
The study was conducted by TickBox.net as part of a Body Shop campaign to highlight domestic violence issues and raise money for the national domestic violence charity Women's Aid.
It sought to uncover what children consider to be acceptable in healthy relationships and surveyed a sample of 1046 children, aged 12 to 18, across the UK.
Nicola Harwin, CEO of Women's Aid said that the research showed that more should be done to teach young people how to spot the warning signs of abusive relationships.
"This research is very worrying. As young people enter relationships for the first time they must be aware that allowing consistent power and control over a partner in any relationship is abusive and not acceptable," she said.
"We need to work harder to reach young people and make them aware of the risks."
Zuni, 17, a former victim of domestic violence, described the abusive relationship she escaped.
"My ex-boyfriend was very controlling, he used to check my phone, tell me what to wear and who I couldn't be friends with.
"On one occasion he slapped me in front of his friends because I 'answered him back'.
"He made me feel really bad about myself and that I was always the one in the wrong. If I did what he said - things would be ok.
"I wish I'd known then that his behaviour was the problem - not mine. I think its really important for young people to know what a healthy relationship really is and that they don't have to put up with being treated badly, like I did.
"I was lucky to leave but others might not be. Young people have to spot the signs early."
The Government defines domestic violence as "threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional)".
The Home Office estimates that one in four women and one in six men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime with women at greater risk of repeat victimisation and serious injury.
Ms Harwin said that the survey shows that teenagers have little understanding of the behaviour that could lead to abuse.
"Many do not seem to realise that domestic violence does not have to be physical or where emotional abuse can lead, suggesting that there is need for greater awareness at an early age to tackle this issue."
Women's Aid runs thehideout.org.uk which aims to support and inform children and young people about domestic violence.
Funds raised from The Body Shop Stop Violence In The Home campaign will help to develop this website.
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