Domestic abuse reporting doesn't reflect CPA rise

The number of domestic abuse incidents reported has dropped in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin where PEGS HQ is based.

However, this isn’t cause for celebration given it’s known domestic abuse has actually increased during the multiple lockdowns resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.

More incidents and fewer reports is sad news all round, and it’s also concerning when we think about specific Child to Parent Abuse cases.

Founding Director Michelle John explains: “Child to Parent Abuse isn’t specifically categorised by all police forces so it’s not currently possible to track overall patterns in CPA reporting.

“We know CPA has always been under-reported and with the general dip in domestic abuse reporting during the pandemic, it’s a real concern that experts are having to make educated guesses about the prevalence of CPA.

“At PEGS, we’d like to see relevant incidents categorised as CPA so all police forces can look at patterns over time and respond accordingly. Of course, the other side of this is encouraging parents to disclose (either to police or to other professionals such as social care teams or their GP) so that we can get a more accurate picture of the scale of CPA. It’s believed it’s increased by around 70% over lockdown but of course we can never be entirely sure.”

There are multiple barriers to parents, carers and guardians feeling able to talk to a professional when they are experiencing CPA. That’s why PEGS not only works with families, but also with organisations such as police forces and local authorities to ensure they are trained on how to respond to CPA.

Michelle adds: “It’s only by debunking myths around CPA and ensuring professionals respond appropriately and effectively to situations that we can begin to encourage more parents to come forward and talk about their situation. We don’t want any family to feel trapped or isolated by what’s going on in their home, we need to make CPA a topic that can be discussed – and we need to ensure reported incidents are categorised to build up a better idea of exactly how many families are impacted.”

Please email hello@pegsupport.com if you're a parent who needs support, or a professional who'd like to find out more about training.

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Allen Lane Foundation Supports New Workshop Lead Role to Expand Support for Parents

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.