Nursery World - Non-verbal communication: CPV

Child-to-parent violence is often misunderstood. Charlotte Goddard reports on the issue and asks what help is available

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a serious problem in many families, but one which is often dismissed or misunderstood. Much research focuses on teens, but there is increasing awareness that this is also involving much younger children. Al Coates, a social worker and adoptive parent who has experienced CPV first hand, surveyed more than 200 parents and carers – mostly fellow adoptive parents. He found that a third of families who had experienced CPV had concerns about violence when the child was five years old or younger.

Alison Woodhead is director of public affairs at charity Adoption UK, and an adoptive parent. ‘It is partly the level of violence that differentiates CPV from normal tantrums, and also the sustained nature of it: it becomes part of the daily routine,’ she says. ‘Three-year-olds reacting to seemingly trivial incidents by kicking, punching, spitting and acting out choking on their parents. There are sustained attacks on family members and often pets as well, and self-harm is often another aspect.’

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