Channel 5 News: Mother shares harrowing account of attack

Harriet Ernstsons-Evans • January 24, 2022

*This report contains details of assault and parents being killed by their children. Please only watch the video if you feel emotionally able to.*

Tonight Channel 5 News shared a new Child to Parent Abuse report, focused around the very worst violence shown by children towards parents/carers/guardians.

A mother bravely shared the story of her son's harrowing attack on her, alongside PEGS board member Dr Amanda Holt sharing her expertise on the need for more support for families, to ensure these severe attacks - and parricides (where a parent is killed by their child) - are reduced.


Once again, our thanks to the Channel 5 news team, including chief correspondent Tessa Chapman, for their commitment to sensitively and diligently covering Child to Parent Abuse - the awareness they are raising really could be life-saving.

You can find out more about Dr Holt's study into parricide (the first large-scale research undertaken in England and Wales) here.


We've also shared the initial Channel 5 report into Child to Parent Abuse and the way incidents are recorded by police (aired in November 2021) here.


If you're a professional who'd like to find out more about CPA, our latest training details can be obtained from training@pegsupport.com, or why not book a place at our national CPA Conference, taking place on 28th April 2022.

Employers can also get involved in the campaign to raise awareness and better support parents, by signing the free
Child to Parent Abuse Covenant, backed by the DWP.


If you're a parent experiencing abuse or violence from your child, please seek support - we hear you, we believe you, you are not alone. In an emergency situation, always call 999 - any non-emergency incident requiring a police response can be reported on 101.

By PEGS Admin March 18, 2026
We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops  By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.
By PEGS Admin March 16, 2026
New Workshop: Understanding Financial Abuse within Child to Parent Abuse (CPA)
By PEGS Admin March 15, 2026
Hidden Family Abuse: 1 in 5 Mothers Killed by Sons in the Past Year Highlights Child-to-Parent Abuse