Child-on-parent abuse programme to expand across London

The Domestic Violence Intervention Project's Yuva programme uses group and one-to-one sessions with parents and adolescents to try to reduce child-on-parent abuse by encouraging behavioural change.

The charity's programme has been operating in some parts of London but is now set to be offered in more areas of the capital thanks to a three-year grant of £103,800 from the City of London Corporation's City Bridge Trust.

Viji Rajagopalan, the manager of the Yuva programme at the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, said: "Every week the service is approached by parents and professionals across London desperate for support.

"This grant will mean that young people who are using violence and abuse will have a chance to learn how to express their anger and frustration non abusively and safely."

Alison Gowman, chair of City Bridge Trust, added: "There are parts of London where this service is not yet available and could really make a difference to many families' lives.

"This funding will allow more people to access this specialist support."

Child-on-parent abuse is thought to be significantly under-reported but some studies suggest one in 10 families are affected.

In 2015 a Home Office report revealed that 1,892 incidents of child-on-parent abuse were recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service in 2009/10.

The same report also said that the charity Family Lives received 22,537 calls to its national helpline about the issue between 2008 and 2010.