Recognise and Respond to CPA
Child to Parent Abuse can be difficult to identify, especially when parents and carers feel unable to speak openly about what is happening at home. This page is here to help professionals recognise possible signs of CPA, respond safely and support families with care, understanding and confidence.
Signs a family may be experiencing CPA
CPA does not always look obvious from the outside. Parents and carers may minimise what is happening, avoid speaking in front of their child, or feel worried about being judged. If something feels concerning, it is worth gently exploring whether CPA may be part of the picture.
A child, young person or adult child using abusive, coercive, violent or threatening behaviour towards a parent, carer, guardian or sibling
A parent appearing anxious, fearful or reluctant to talk about behaviour at home
A parent asking to speak away from their child, or asking that the child is not told about the conversation
Injuries, damaged property or repeated incidents that are difficult for the parent to explain
Signs that the wider family is adapting around the child’s behaviour
Concerns around child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, substance use, mental health, trauma or additional needs
Why parents may find it hard to talk about CPA
Many parents and carers experiencing CPA feel ashamed, frightened or worried they will be blamed. Some fear their child may be criminalised, removed from the home, or become more aggressive if they find out that support has been sought. Others may have asked for help before and felt dismissed.
For some parents, there may also be a fear of what could happen next. They may worry that their child will be criminalised, removed from the home, or that speaking out could make the behaviour worse once they return home. Some may have tried to ask for help before and felt dismissed, misunderstood or blamed, which can make it even harder to reach out again.
Parents may also minimise what is happening because they love their child and want to protect them. They may explain the behaviour away, focus on the child’s needs, or feel guilty for feeling scared of someone they care for. This can leave them feeling very alone.
Creating a safe, calm and non judgemental space can make a huge difference. A validating response from a professional may be the first step towards a parent feeling able to talk honestly, access support, and begin to feel less isolated.
FAQs for professionals
If you work with children, families or adults, you may come across situations where Child to Parent Abuse is part of the picture. These FAQs can help you feel more confident recognising possible signs and responding safely.
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Child to Parent Abuse, often known as CPA, is when a child, young person or adult child uses harmful, threatening, controlling or abusive behaviour towards a parent, carer or guardian.
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CPA can affect any parent, carer or guardian, including birth parents, adoptive parents, foster carers, kinship carers, step parents and grandparents.
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You may notice a parent appearing anxious, fearful or reluctant to speak openly. There may be reports of threats, violence, damage to property, abuse towards siblings, or wider family life being controlled by the child’s behaviour.
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Listen calmly, believe them, avoid blame and try to speak somewhere private. Do not tell the child what has been disclosed, as this could increase risk at home.
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Not without careful consideration of risk and safeguarding procedures. If a child is told what a parent has shared, this could escalate the behaviour or place the parent, siblings or wider family at further risk.
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Yes. Professionals can refer parents, carers and guardians to PEGS for support with Child to Parent Abuse.
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PEGS supports parents, carers and guardians. It does not work directly with the child displaying CPA behaviours, but it can help families access appropriate guidance and support.
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If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Safety should always come first.
How PEGS can support professionals and families
Whether you have identified CPA or are unsure whether a family needs support, PEGS can help you take the next step. Make a referral, explore professional training, or contact the team for more information.
PEGS works alongside professionals to support parents, carers and guardians experiencing Child to Parent Abuse. We do not work directly with the child displaying CPA behaviours, but we can help parents access support and can signpost to partner organisations where appropriate.