Lancashire research reveals extent of police call-outs for CPA

Research released by the University of Central Lancashire this week has revealed a tenth of domestic abuse cases the police were called out to were incidents involving Child to Parent Abuse.

The university worked alongside Lancashire Police and Lancashire Violence Reduction Network on the project, funded by the Home Office.

The full report can be read here – but we’ve also gone through and summarised some of the main findings below.

*Do be aware the report features details of serious CPA incidents and parricides, so please only read its contents if you feel emotionally comfortable to do so.*

There were 66,973 domestic abuse incidents in Lancashire in the date range studied as part of the project (27^th November 2018 to 28^th February 2021) – of which 7,171 were incidents where a parental figure was the victim. (It’s important to note due to the legal definition of domestic abuse being behaviours displayed by a person aged 16 or over, the research only covers CPA incidents where the child is 16 or over).

In 69% of cases, the person being reported was the son of the victim – in 19% of cases it was the daughter, and the rest of the cases were grandchildren or other relatives.

44% of incidents involved violence towards a person, 34% were domestic abuse incidents which the police were called to, but which were classified as non-criminal offences, 12% involved arson or criminal damage and 0.7% were sexual offences.

There was an increase of 37% during Christmas and 41% over New Year.

The oldest person reported for CPA was 74, and the average age was just under 27 (again, worth noting all incidents recorded were where the person being abusive or violent was 16 or over).

27% had previously been investigated for domestic abuse – with a small proportion having been investigated up to 21 times during the timeframe of the study.

And 24% had been classified as the victim in a previous domestic abuse investigation, some up to 18 times.

The average age of the victim was 54, and the oldest victim was 98.

In the majority of cases, the victim did not support or withdrew their support for further police action – in a small number of cases, there was difficulty getting enough evidence to take the case forward.

There were charges or summons issues in around 8% of the cases which had been classified as a crime.

PEGS welcomes this research, and the awareness being raised of CPA as a result – it’s important to recognise the numbers of parents needing to call police because of abuse they are experiencing from their children, and what can be done collectively to reduce the impact of CPA. Research like this report is essential in furthering our understanding and evidencing the need for better support.

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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.