This executive summary is the first data on Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA) in Aotearoa—an issue that many of us have seen but struggled to define, name, and respond to across our services.
The survey was completed by parents and caregivers across the motu who are experiencing violence and abuse from their children. Their stories are powerful and confronting -many families and whānau describe feeling isolated, blamed and unsupported within systems that do not yet respond safely to this form of family violence.
Key findings:
92% of parents/caregivers responding experience physical violence.
81% report the violence began before adolescence.
42% experience violence daily for 19% it is multiple times a day
63% parents/caregivers have been physically injured including broken bones
75% live in fear of their own child
The data highlights the urgent need for policy and professional development, peer support, and tailored tools to respond to families experiencing this form of family violence.