Child to Parent Violence and Abuse
1. Introduction
1.1 Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) is recognised nationally as an issue which relates to safeguarding both adults and children. CPVA is any behaviour used by a young person to control, dominate, or coerce their parents. It can include emotional, verbal, physical or financial abuse and includes “coercive control”, or in other words, the parent or other adult is compelled to change their own behaviours for fear of further abuse. It may present as a single violent incident, but is more likely to be a pattern of behaviour including damage to person or property, threats, stealing from the parent, humiliation or verbal abuse. It is often threatening and intimidating and can put family safety at risk. Whilst it is normal for adolescents to demonstrate healthy anger, conflict, and frustration during their transition from childhood to adulthood, anger should not be confused with abuse or violence. Violence is a range of behaviours including non-physical acts aimed at achieving ongoing control over another person by instilling fear, similar to in cases of domestic abuse. Whilst it is not unusual for adolescents and children to demonstrate healthy anger and at times there will be conflict with parents, it should be noted that there is a difference between healthy anger and abuse or behaviour which instils fear in their parents or carers.
2. Child to Parent Violence and Abuse Pathway
3. Child to Parent Violence and Abuse Screening Tool