When children harm their parents, what does early intervention look like? Preventing juvenile criminalisation

• In Event: EDLC: interventions and the life course

Abstract

Until recently, the issue of child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA) received little attention in research and practice. However, due the increasing recognition of the social implications of CPVA, including it impacting between 10-30% of families, research into this phenomenon has more than doubled in 10 years. Researchers recognise CPVA as a social problem requiring urgent and early intervention to prevent escalating harm within the family, or the criminalization of children. Whilst there is evidence parents seek support early and often; they also frequently experience judgement and blame from the services they seek support from. Concerns around this criminalization, judgement and blame means CPVA is often a ‘hidden’ form of harm, compounded by the lack of clear pathways to appropriate intervention, many families do not receive support until crisis, at risk of child removal or their children entering the youth justice system. This paper presents the initial results of an economic, social research council funded project utilising advisory groups of strategic managers and families with lived experience in the north-east of England, and a three-round Delphi questionnaire. Initial findings of the Delphi questionnaire highlight specific barriers to support and early intervention at the systemic level; as well as developing a consensus for improved practice, understanding why youth justice provision is often referred to positively by families, whereas early support services are where they frequently experience judgement.

Author

• Nikki Rutter, Durham University