Why do we call it CPA?

There’s a long-running debate among those who work within the domestic abuse sector, and specifically those dealing with Child to Parent Abuse, about what we should actually call it.

There are all sorts of variations and – over time – some key organisations have actually changed the name and acronym by which they refer to this type of abuse.

At PEGS, we’ve used CPA since we launched our services in 2020 and we intend to continue doing so. We felt it might be helpful to explain exactly why.

We use the term child rather than adolescent, child and adolescent, or any other variation – because we’re describing the relationship between the person displaying the behaviours and the person on the receiving end of the behaviours.

It gives an incorrect perception if we use adolescent, in our opinion, because so many families are experiencing this behaviour from children well under the age of 13. In fact, over a quarter of the parents who PEGS surveyed at the end of 2022 said they were experiencing CPA before their child was 6.

And, at the other end of the scale, abuse does not necessarily stop once the person turns 18 or 21. Sadly, we see adults continuing to display these behaviours towards their parent(s). But once you become a parent, that person is your ‘child’ forever, so regardless of whether the ‘child’ is 5 or 50, we believe this term covers all persons displaying CPA.

We use the word parent to cover anyone who has a caring role or responsibility – so this includes carers, guardians, grandparents or other family members who have taken on the primary caring role (kinship carers), foster or adoptive parents, step-parents etc. PEGS’ services are available to anyone who has a parental role.

And finally we use abuse rather than violence (or violence and abuse). This is because: all violence is abusive, but not all abuse is violent. CPA can include behaviours such as coercion and control, taking out credit cards in the parent’s name and running up debts, or spreading lies about them online. None of these are violent acts, but they can form part of the abuse the person is experiencing.

Child to Parent Abuse is – we believe – an inclusive term which covers all abusive relationships between a person and someone they have/had a parent role towards.

If you’re impacted by CPA, do reach out to our team – click here to find out what services PEGS offers to parents. Or if you’d like more information, simply go to our Understanding CPA page.

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Allen Lane Foundation Supports New Workshop Lead Role to Expand Support for Parents

By PEGS Admin • March 18, 2026

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.