Child to parent

Adolescent to Parent Violence (APV) or Child to Parent Violence (CPV) can be defined as ‘abusive behaviour perpetrated by a son or daughter against a parent, who is legally recognised as a child and is most likely still living in the family home. Abusive behaviours which are recognised to be involved in APV include but are not limited to, threats, name calling, humiliation, threats to harm themselves or others, property damage, physical violence and theft (Holt, 2015). APV is not restricted to violence by an adolescent against a parent; it extends to violence against a family member who is acting as a parent i.e. common-law in-laws, foster family, grandparents, aunt or uncle. It must be acknowledged that there is the potential for APV to occur even when the adolescent does not live in the same property as their parents.

Indicators that a child’s behaviour could have gone beyond healthy anger

• Parents/ carers are changing their behaviour to avoid confrontation with their child
•  The child lashes out verbally or physically causing fear or distress
• The parent/ carer feels like they are walking on eggshells to keep the peace
• The child is stealing or damaging other family members possessions
• The child threatens the parent/ carer or others.
• The child threatens to harm themselves or engage in risky behaviour. Always take threats of self-harm seriously
• The child is critical and dismissive of the parent/ carer and their interests
• The child blames the parent/ carer or others for their behaviour
• The child is cruel to pets
• The child threatens to run away from home if the parent/ carer doesn’t meet their demands
• The child threatens to call others i.e. ChildLine, a social worker or other professional if their demands are not met
• The parent/ carer is fearful for their safety or the safety of other family members