Michelle John is one of the UK’s foremost experts on Child to Parent Abuse, having launched the social enterprise PEGS in 2020 following her own experience of CPA.

Following the release of the Government’s VAWG Strategy today (18th December), Michelle said:

“Halving violence against women and girls in the next decade is, of course, a hugely admirable target and I sincerely hope the actions laid out in today’s strategy have the desired impact and make a tangible difference in the number of people experiencing abuse each year in the UK.

“We welcome the recognition in the strategy of the impact abuse can have on parents and siblings, and hope to see additional actions focused specifically around Child to Parent Abuse introduced when a definition is set down in 2026. The promised definition will only be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to addressing this type of domestic abuse, which researchers believe affects up to one in every ten households.

“Of the thousands of parents PEGS has supported since March 2020, more than 95% have been women – comprising mostly of mothers but also step-mothers, grandmothers, kinship carers, foster carers and other guardians. We know from research by our board member Dr Amanda Holt that one parricide (where a parent is killed by their child) occurs every 19 days in England and Wales; plus the most recent Femicide Census shows a woman is more likely to be killed by her son than a stranger.

This is not a minor issue, it is a serious form of domestic abuse which has very real physical, emotional, social and financial implications for many thousands of women.

“That’s why hope to see a comprehensive plan put together of how we can all work to reduce the devastating impact of CPA. PEGS will continue to elevate the voices of parents impacted by CPA, and hope to continue providing insights to the Government during the development of the definition and further work undertaken.

“We hope the wider actions set out in the strategy go some way towards supporting those affected by CPA alongside other victims and survivors – but it is also clear that targeted work is needed for those who are experiencing physical, emotional, financial, digital and even sexual abuse at the hands of their child.

“We cannot leave mothers without the proper networks that should be in place for all those experiencing abuse or harm, and at PEGS we welcome any steps forward which open up new support options and increase awareness of their situation.”