Child to Parent Violence and Abuse

Overview

Child to parent violence is defined as a harmful act carried out by a child with the intention to cause physical, psychological, or financial pain or to exert power and control over a parent. In other words, a child or adolescent’s behaviour should be considered violent and abusive if family members feel controlled, intimidated or threatened by it. The ‘Positive Relationships’ Child to Parent Violence Programme is an evidence-influenced, Non-violent Resistance (NVR) intervention that aims to enhance the protection and safety of all family members.

How does it work?

The programme consists of 10 sessions for the parent(s) and 6 sessions for the young person. The parent(s) and young people attend the sessions separately, with the possibility of a con-joint session at the end is deemed to be helpful by both the young person and the parent(s). Ideally, the sessions are delivered in parallel. Both parents are encouraged to attend whenever possible, even if they are living separately.

The focus on therapeutic support and applying an NVR approach encourages participants to break unhelpful patterns and to build on the resources within the family and wider networks in reinforcing a commitment to non-violence.

The aims of the Positive Relationships programme are to:

• To end incidents of abusive behaviour by the child towards their parent;
• To increase respectful communication and appropriate parent-child boundaries in the family;
• To increase family resilience through building family support networks and expanding on family strengths.

CAPVA (Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence & Abuse)

CAPVA is an intervention for families where the child has shown abusive behaviours towards family members. RISE supports the family to build resilience, improve communication and create a safer environment within the family home.

Child/Adolescent Sessions

Mapping exercise & goal setting
Coping with anger
Assertive behaviour and communication
Overcoming low self-esteem
Boundaries
Connected families session

Parent/Carer Sessions

We work with the parent/carer for up to 12 sessions, including:
Assessments
De-escalation techniques
Raising parental presence & agency
Reflections: self care
Support networks & community links
Announcements and sit-ins
Connecting session with child

The CAPVA Study

RISE will be taking part in a brand new CAPVA study along with the University of Hertfordshire. This will be done through an RCT (Randomised Control Trial) where families that get referred will either receive the CAPVA programme sessions or they will receive what the boroughs already have in place.

Eligibility

We engage parents and children separately in the home for 6-8 months, using Non-Violent Resistance approach and creating community support networks. Children aged 9-17 who have been identified as displaying abusive behaviour towards family members (or up to age 24 if the individual is vulnerable or neurodivergent) will be eligible for CAPVA. Families are still suitable even if the child is unlikely to engage.

For further details on the CAPVA and Positive Relationships programmes, please contact us at info@risemutual.org.