Multi-agency partnership tackling child-to-parent abuse hailed a success

A two-year initiative providing specialist help to more than 100 families where children or teenagers displayed violent or abusive behaviours towards their parents or caregivers has been praised for its positive impact.

CAPVA, a form of domestic abuse that often goes under-recognised, can include verbal aggression, physical violence, coercive control or emotional harm.

An evaluation of the project, led by Dr Vicki Mcdermott-Thompson from UEA’s School of Psychology, found it had a positive impact on family relationships, emotional wellbeing and parenting confidence. The findings have prompted the programme’s extension until March 2026.

Dr Mcdermott-Thompson said the research revealed the importance of early, trauma-informed support delivered to the whole family.

“Children or adolescents being violent or abusive towards a parent or carer is a complex and often overlooked issue affecting families across Norfolk,” she said. “We found that early, trauma-informed support can interrupt cycles of harm and rebuild and improve family relationships. This work helps us understand what works, the barriers families face, and how services can be strengthened.”

The pilot was delivered through a multi-agency partnership involving Norfolk Youth Justice Service, Norfolk County Council’s Children’s Services, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Services, Brave Futures, and Cup-O-T: Wellness and Therapy Services.

As well as supporting more than 100 families, over 80 professionals were trained to deliver the Respect Young People’s Programme, a voluntary intervention designed to help both young people and parents address harmful behaviour and improve relationships.

The evaluation found that verbal aggression was the most common form of abuse, while just over half of families also reported physical violence. The study showed that CAPVA affected children of all genders, and that many of the young people involved had mental health challenges or neurodevelopmental conditions. Mothers, often the primary carers, were most frequently the victims.

While only between 22 and 39 per cent of families completed the full programme—highlighting ongoing engagement barriers—those who did take part reported major improvements in wellbeing and confidence. One parent said the support had helped them “feel confident in putting boundaries in place and not blaming myself for my child’s difficulties.” A young person said they had learned “what I can do when I feel angry or frustrated.”

The research also revealed that many families felt dismissed by schools, police or mental health services before accessing the programme. It calls for greater awareness of CAPVA among professionals and the public, alongside further research to improve access to support and reduce structural barriers.

Mark Stokes, Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk and Chair of the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership, said the findings demonstrate the value of partnership working.
“These findings show this work has a very powerful and positive effect on families, with a reduction in the need to involve the police and other services,” he said. “Partnership working has been key to the success of this pilot and I am very keen that this work should continue.”

The findings will inform the next phase of the programme, which will continue to draw on collaboration between Norfolk’s safeguarding and community safety partnerships to ensure families receive effective, trauma-informed support.