Violent attacks by children and teenagers against their own parents have risen dramatically over the past decade, with new figures from the Metropolitan Police showing a more than 60% increase in recorded offences. The data highlights a hidden form of domestic abuse that experts say is becoming more visible but remains widely underreported across the UK.
In 2015, police recorded 1,886 violent offences involving suspects aged between 10 and 17 attacking a parent or step-parent. By 2025, that figure had climbed to 3,091 incidents in the first ten months alone, signalling a sustained rise rather than a short-term spike.
The offences involve children legally old enough to be held criminally responsible and include cases where the alleged victim was recorded as a parent or step-parent. While numbers rose gradually between 2015 and 2019, police data shows a sharper increase during the Covid-19 pandemic, when families were under prolonged lockdown pressures.
Pandemic Pressures and Lasting Impact
In 2020, recorded incidents rose to 2,454, compared with 2,292 the previous year. Although figures dipped slightly in 2021, they rose again in 2022 and 2023 before levelling off in 2024 and 2025. Experts say the pandemic disrupted family routines, removed school-based support and placed unprecedented stress on households already struggling.
Research carried out by academics from Oxford and Manchester during the pandemic documented severe cases of violence, including testimony from parents who said they feared for their lives during lockdown periods.
Charities Report Surge in Referrals
Organisations working directly with affected families say police figures reflect a broader national trend. Jane Atkinson, chief executive of Capa First Response, said her charity has seen a 90% increase in referrals over the past two years.
She said many parents only seek help when violence escalates beyond what they initially view as “challenging behaviour”. Internal data from the charity shows referral spikes when children are aged six, eight and twelve, suggesting growing awareness among parents that early aggression can signal deeper problems.
Poverty and Service Cuts Linked to Violence
Experts point to rising child poverty, unmet mental health needs and cuts to early-intervention services as key drivers behind the increase. Families under financial and emotional strain may struggle to meet expectations shaped by social media and peer pressure, fuelling conflict within the home.
Specialists also warn that reductions in child and adolescent mental health services have left families without timely support, allowing behaviour to escalate into violence before intervention occurs.
Stigma Still Masks True Scale
Child-to-parent violence is considered one of the most hidden forms of domestic abuse, with stigma preventing many families from reporting incidents. Specialists believe official figures represent only a fraction of the true number of cases.
Studies suggest abuse often begins in childhood and peaks between the ages of 14 and 16. International research indicates that between 3% and 5% of families experience serious physical violence by a child, with broader patterns of physical and psychological aggression affecting up to 10%.
Growing Awareness but Urgent Need for Support
While experts welcome increased reporting as a sign that stigma may be easing, they stress that awareness must be matched with properly funded support services. Without early help, families can reach crisis point, placing both parents and children at serious risk.
