May Spotlight: Physical Abuse

Child-to-parent abuse (CPA) remains one of the least acknowledged forms of domestic abuse, often shrouded in shame, confusion and silence. While emotional and psychological abuse frequently come to the forefront in discussions about CPA, physical abuse is one of the most common forms of abuse when it comes to CPA. This can include hitting, kicking, biting, throwing objects or using weapons. Such behaviours not only cause immediate physical harm but often impact mental health and well being.

Recent data from our 2025 survey reveals the extent of physical abuse parents face in their own homes:

-25% of parents are physically assaulted by their child each month.
This isn't rare, it’s a recurring pattern affecting thousands of families, often behind closed doors.

-56% of parents report experiencing physical abuse overall.
More than half of those impacted by CPA experience physical abuse.

-91% are experiencing damage to their property.
While it does not directly need to be bodily harm, property damage often accompanies or precedes physical abuse.

Unlike other forms of domestic abuse, CPA challenges our expectations of parenting and child behaviour. Parents tell us they feel ashamed, blame and  fear judgment. Many of PEGS’ parents worry that reporting their child’s behaviour will lead to criminalisation instead of support, which can be a further barrier for families receiving help. 



The impact of physical abuse is not only about the physical injuries, and for some, their injuries require medical attention , our School holidays report revealed that during the 2023 summer holidays, 1 in 5 parents ended up in A & E due to injuries sustained from their child. This report is on our website, which you can download for free here

Physical abuse can lead to:

-Stress and anxiety

-Fear of being alone with their child

-Reluctance to seek help due to fear of not being believed or supported

-Impact on the wider family emotional wellbeing, particularly siblings or partners in the home.

-Employment may be affected due to the parent not being able to attend work or not wanting to go to work due to the questions around injuries / home life

-Reduction in contact with  friends and the community resulting in further isolation 

Physical abuse in CPA isn’t just a "phase" or a matter of poor parenting. It's a serious issue that demands attention, resources, and compassion. By breaking the silence and pushing for  change, we can support families to move from crisis to stability. No parent should have to live in fear of their own child. It’s time to talk about this form of domestic abuse and ensure that those affected are heard, believed, and supported.

We are always here for you, no matter what.

To effectively address CPA, and especially the physical abuse involved, we must:

-Raise awareness that CPA is real and more common than many assume.

-Improve access to services for parents that are empathetic, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed.

-Educate professionals across sectors (social care, education, health) to recognize signs of CPA and respond appropriately.

-Challenge the stigma that prevents open conversation and early intervention

If you would like to find out more about our training packages and how you can help support families and parental figures experiencing CPA ,please click here.