First large-scale study of parental killing in England and Wales
Harriet Ernstsons-Evans • October 21, 2021
*Trigger warning* The following blog contains information about research conducted into hundreds of incidents where a parent was killed by their child, including detail of the method used. Please only read the blog, and the research itself, if you feel emotionally able to do so.
Dr Amanda Holt is one of the key academics in the UK when it comes to Child to Parent Abuse (and she also sits on the board of PEGS to help advise us on how we support parents and train professionals).
Her role within the University of Roehampton’s criminology department has seen her recently research and publish England and Wales’ first national analysis of parricide.
Parricide is when a parent (including adoptive or step-parent) is killed by their child, either through a single incident or a culmination of abuse/neglect.
Using the Home Office Homicide Index, Dr Holt was able to identify 693 incidents between 1977 and 2012 – equating to around 19 each year. In 23 of those incidents, both parents were killed while the rest claimed the life of one parent.
That’s at least one parent killed every 19 days in England and Wales.
What do we know about the suspects?
Around 90% were male | They ranged in age from 11 to 69 | Around 9% were juveniles (under 18).
What do we know about the victims?
51% of those killed were fathers and 49% were mothers | They ranged in age from 25 to 101 | 84% were white, 8% black and 7% Asian.
The most common methods
were using a blunt or sharp instrument (60%), strangulation (16%), kicking or hitting (10%), and shooting (7%).
And the most common outcome
for the suspect was being found guilty of manslaughter (54%), with 26% being found guilty of murder, 16% being found guilty or other/unknown charges, and 4% being found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Our Founding Director Michelle John said: “Child to Parent Abuse is an uncomfortable topic for many of us to talk about, even more so when we are reflecting on the killing of a parent. It’s so far removed from the reality of most people’s lives, but sadly it is all too real for the loved ones of more than 700 people killed by their children in the 35 years this study covers, and those who have lost their lives since.
“While an isolated incident resulting in the death of a parent might be harder to stop, where the deaths are the result of ongoing abuse or neglect, that represents a tragically missed opportunity by authorities to intervene.
“This research represents a hugely valuable resource for professionals to be able to use as they increase their knowledge and refine their policies and practices around situations where a parent is in danger.”
Click here
to read the full report.
Six Years of PEGS: Reflection, Growth and Looking Ahead
We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.
New Workshop: Understanding Financial Abuse within Child to Parent Abuse (CPA)
