Leading child protection charity the NSPCC has launched a magazine aimed at helping teenagers who have been sexually abused.

The charity is publishing the magazine Hands Off! following a survey of almost 3,000 18-24-year-olds which found that about one in ten had experienced sex or sexual advances against their will under the age of 16.

Six in ten said physical force had been used and four in ten were blackmailed. Victims were usually 13 to 15 years old and three-quarters are girls. Almost one in three had never told anyone about their experience.

The perpetrator was usually known to, but unrelated to, the victim, and was often a boyfriend. One per cent described sexual abuse by parents or carers and three per cent by other relatives.

The NSPCC magazine is written by agony aunt Suzie Hayman in the lively and easy-to-read style of a youth magazine and aims to convince teenagers that unwanted sex is never their fault.

With cartoon-strips and a problem page, it tells young people about sex abuse and how to deal with it. There is also a special report on safe use of the internet.

Teenagers from the Warrington Young People's Centre and the Anglesey NSPCC Advisory Group, NSPCC practitioners, Brook Advisory, ChildLine, Parentline Plus and the Trust for the Study of Adolescence were consulted about content for the magazine.

NSPCC Director Mary Marsh says: "Young people often blame themselves for their abuse but this magazine makes it clear to young people that it is never their fault.

"Our survey shows clearly that most children and young people do not speak out about sex abuse, and do not get the help and support they need. 'Hands Off!' encourages young people to find someone to turn to if they are experiencing abuse or sexual bullying."

The magazine is part of the charity's Full Stop campaign to end child cruelty. You can receive up to ten free copies by sending an A4 SAE with three first class stamps to Publications and Information Unit (PIU), NSPCC National Centre, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH.