First large-scale study of parental killing in England and Wales
Harriet Ernstsons-Evans • October 21, 2021
*Trigger warning* The following blog contains information about research conducted into hundreds of incidents where a parent was killed by their child, including detail of the method used. Please only read the blog, and the research itself, if you feel emotionally able to do so.
Dr Amanda Holt is one of the key academics in the UK when it comes to Child to Parent Abuse (and she also sits on the board of PEGS to help advise us on how we support parents and train professionals).
Her role within the University of Roehampton’s criminology department has seen her recently research and publish England and Wales’ first national analysis of parricide.
Parricide is when a parent (including adoptive or step-parent) is killed by their child, either through a single incident or a culmination of abuse/neglect.
Using the Home Office Homicide Index, Dr Holt was able to identify 693 incidents between 1977 and 2012 – equating to around 19 each year. In 23 of those incidents, both parents were killed while the rest claimed the life of one parent.
That’s at least one parent killed every 19 days in England and Wales.
What do we know about the suspects?
Around 90% were male | They ranged in age from 11 to 69 | Around 9% were juveniles (under 18).
What do we know about the victims?
51% of those killed were fathers and 49% were mothers | They ranged in age from 25 to 101 | 84% were white, 8% black and 7% Asian.
The most common methods
were using a blunt or sharp instrument (60%), strangulation (16%), kicking or hitting (10%), and shooting (7%).
And the most common outcome
for the suspect was being found guilty of manslaughter (54%), with 26% being found guilty of murder, 16% being found guilty or other/unknown charges, and 4% being found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Our Founding Director Michelle John said: “Child to Parent Abuse is an uncomfortable topic for many of us to talk about, even more so when we are reflecting on the killing of a parent. It’s so far removed from the reality of most people’s lives, but sadly it is all too real for the loved ones of more than 700 people killed by their children in the 35 years this study covers, and those who have lost their lives since.
“While an isolated incident resulting in the death of a parent might be harder to stop, where the deaths are the result of ongoing abuse or neglect, that represents a tragically missed opportunity by authorities to intervene.
“This research represents a hugely valuable resource for professionals to be able to use as they increase their knowledge and refine their policies and practices around situations where a parent is in danger.”
Click here
to read the full report.
Child to Parent Abuse organisation founder awarded MBE The founder of a social enterprise which has supported thousands of parents impacted by abusive behaviours from their children has been awarded an MBE. Michelle John, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales but now based in Shropshire, was among the names announced for the prestigious accolade in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year. In 2020, Michelle set up not-for-profit organisation PEGS with the aim of supporting parents and carers, training professionals, influencing local and national policy, and raising awareness of Child to Parent Abuse – which is thought to affect up to one in ten households in the UK. Since then, she has grown a team of experts who have trained police, social workers, teachers and many other professionals to better recognise the signs of CPA, support parents, and signpost to specialist organisations. In addition, Michelle set up a range of parent-focused initiatives including daily practitioner-led online sessions, a Facebook peer support group which now has 3,300 members, and one-to-one offerings for those at highest risk. PEGS launched a CPA Covenant for employers in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, only the fourth such covenant to be backed by the Government, and Michelle has advised everyone from the Home Office to Channel 4 and the BBC on CPA – the latter for storyline on Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Her work has seen CPA covered by journalists across television news programmes, national newspapers and magazine, and regional press and radio, and she’s received numerous awards both in the UK and internationally. Michelle, whose MBE was awarded for Family Support and Advocacy, said: “This honour is also shared with the parents who have trusted me along the way: they drive me, inspire me and I will always stand with them. “I feel proud, privileged and very grateful – and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and PEGS along the way. There is much more to come for PEGS, and we will continue to work every day for the parents and carers who have been or continue to be impacted by CPA. “There is so much to reflect on from the journey of the last six years, and there have been many highlights and challenges along the way. I am sure there will be many more in the future – although being told I’d received an MBE will always remain a truly incredible moment that I’ll remember forever!” For more information about us, visit www.pegsupport.co.uk or search for 'PEGS' on social media!
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