Dear reader,

You may not know that PEGS was created due to lived experience and by identifying a gap in support for parental figures, who are experiencing one of the most heart-breaking forms of domestic abuse. With nothing more than an idea, no funding and a determination to see change, the catalyst for PEGS was born.

I did not know then what PEGS would become. I only knew that something had to be different. That families like mine deserved to be heard, understood and supported without blame or shame. Now, six years on from PEGS being established, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility. What started from lived experience has grown into something far bigger than I could have imagined.

Over this time, we have supported more than 14,000 parental figures. Each contact, each story, each moment of trust is something we hold with great care. It is a privilege to walk alongside families in some of their most difficult moments. To every parental figure who has trusted us with their journey, thank you. We see you, we hear you and we are continually inspired by your strength.

This past year has seen child to parent abuse reach wider public awareness, including being highlighted in Hollyoaks. As a direct result of that storyline, over 400 parents and carers came to PEGS for support. This shows just how many families are living with this behind closed doors, and how powerful awareness can be in helping people reach out.

We are also seeing important systemic change. The introduction, hopefully this year, of a legal definition of child to parent abuse where the child is under 16 years of age, will make a significant step forward. This is something we have been campaigning for alongside many others for a long time. It represents recognition, validation and a foundation for more consistent and informed responses to families.

Alongside this, the CPA Awareness Day on October 14th,  that we started is now being recognised and used in other countries. What began as a small step to raise awareness has grown into something that is helping to shine a light on this issue globally.

Collaboration continues to sit at the heart of everything we do. Our work alongside partners such as Dewis Choice, Family Lives, Refuge, Mid and West Wales region, Shropshire Domestic Abuse Local Partnership, NHS England, Department for Work and Pensions and many others, far too many to name, has strengthened our ability to influence practice, reach more families and build a more joined up response to child to parent abuse. Together, we are creating change that no single organisation could achieve alone.

Over the past year, we have continued to expand our training and policy work across local authorities and organisations. More professionals are recognising child to parent abuse and seeking ways to respond effectively and compassionately. It has been incredibly encouraging to see so many sectors and services embed our PRAM ( PEGS Risk Awareness Model ) into their practice, supporting earlier identification and more informed responses to CPA.

And yet, despite this progress, the reality remains stark. Last year, one in five women who were killed by a man were mothers, killed by their son or with their son as the primary suspect. This is difficult to read and even harder to accept, but it reinforces why this work matters so deeply. Behind every statistic are families, relationships and opportunities where earlier support could have made a difference.

None of this work happens in isolation. PEGS is what it is because of our incredible team. They bring compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment every single day. They challenge, support and inspire me, and they have helped me grow into a better leader. I feel incredibly fortunate to walk this journey alongside them.

Looking ahead, the future of PEGS is one of continued growth, learning and innovation. With that growth comes new challenges, but also new opportunities to develop solutions, deepen our impact and reach more families who need us. We remain committed to listening, to learning and to working in partnership to create meaningful and lasting change.

PEGS can not and we do not want to do this alone. Whether you are an individual, an organisation or someone who would just like to help create change, we would love to welcome you into our community and support you to recognise and respond with confidence and compassion.

" Change can start with anyone of us at any time, back then I thought why not me, and why not now, so I ask the same of all of you. Why not you, and why not today ?"

Thank you to all who have supported us over the years, to the parental figures who have trusted us with their experiences and journey, we will continue to speak out so that you all are seen and have a voice.

Here's to the next six years

Michelle
Director, PEGS