The Power of Child to Parent Abuse Awareness

The Impact of Addressing Child to Parent Abuse in Events and Conferences

Child to Parent Abuse (CPA) is an often-overlooked form of domestic abuse that carries significant consequences for families, professionals, and society as a whole. When CPA is included in conferences and events focused on safeguarding, domestic abuse, and family dynamics, it shines a spotlight on this complex issue and fosters greater understanding and action. At PEGS, we’ve seen first-hand the transformative impact that these discussions can have through the talks we deliver at events worldwide.

Including CPA in event agendas helps bring attention to an issue that many professionals are unsure how to address. Parents experiencing abuse often feel isolated, unheard and unsupported. This can mean that professionals can feel they lack the tools to identify, manage, and support these situations effectively.

By dedicating time to CPA, events can:

Raise awareness of the prevalence and challenges of CPA.
Empower professionals with actionable strategies for intervention.
Shift perceptions by emphasising that CPA is a form of domestic abuse requiring serious attention.
Build connections between professionals to enhance collaboration in tackling CPA.

At PEGS, we’ve been privileged to share our expertise at a variety of events and conferences, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Michelle John, our founder and director, brings a powerful combination of professional insight and personal experience to every talk, sparking conversations and driving meaningful change.

Empathy and understanding: Attendees frequently share how hearing the lived experiences of families affected by CPA deepens their empathy and motivates them to take action.
Actionable insights: Many professionals have reported that PEGS’ strategies and tools have helped them make immediate improvements in how they handle CPA cases.
Global interest: Events like the International Child to Parent Abuse Conference demonstrated that this is not a localized issue—professionals from around the world are eager to learn and collaborate on solutions.

Our talks have made an impact at a range of events hosted by multi agency professionals and organisations. We have also have had the opportunity to be interviewed on various podcasts and by the media, including:

The International Child to Parent Abuse Conference (October 2024), a virtual event that united global professionals to share best practices.
Safeguarding and domestic abuse conferences, where CPA discussions have encouraged more integrated approaches to family support.
Forensic and criminology panels, where we’ve explored CPA’s links to broader patterns of abuse and criminality.

You can listen to or watch some of Michelle's interviews below:

#AbuseTalk Podcast: Michelle discussed the complexities of CPA and shared insights from her work with PEGS. Link: https://youtu.be/FANH9D71Pgo?feature=shared
InTune Radio Shropshire: Michelle was interviewed about the challenges parents face when dealing with CPA and the support PEGS offers. Link: https://fb.watch/xpNamGpE7y/
"What do Parents Know?" Podcast: Michelle explored the dynamics of CPA, the lack of media coverage on the topic, and strategies for parents seeking help. Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1591687/episodes/13193641
Channel 5 news: CPA Report. Link: https://youtu.be/thzFpg5eIus?feature=shared
ITV news: CPA Report. Link: https://www.itv.com/news/2022-03-09/its-like-being-held-hostage-parents-facing-abuse-from-own-children

Every time CPA is included in an event, the ripple effects are tangible—parents and caregivers feel seen, professionals feel equipped, and policies begin to shift. By opening the conversation, you can be part of that change.

If you’re organising an event or conference and would like to include Child to Parent Abuse on the agenda, PEGS is here to help.

Contact us at admin@pegsupport.com to discuss how Michelle John and our team can contribute to your event. Together, we can ensure CPA becomes an essential part of the conversation around domestic abuse and safeguarding.

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Founding Director, Michelle, has been awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours for Family Support and Advocacy.

By PEGS Admin • June 15, 2026

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!